What is a BNP Test?
B-Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) test is a blood test that measures levels of a protein that is made by your heart and blood vessels. BNP levels are higher than normal when you have heart failure.
BNP is very helpful in diagnosing congestive heart failure. A normal BNP level is about 98% accurate in ruling out the diagnosis, freeing doctors to hunt for other conditions that may be causing shortness of breath or fluid retention.
Symptoms of Heart Failure
Heart failure is a condition in which your heart can’t pump enough blood to make your body work well. It develops over time as your heart becomes too weak or stiff to fill and pump efficiently because of certain medical conditions. When heart failure occurs in both sides of the heart it is called congestive heart failure. This condition require immediate medical attention.
The following are signs and symptoms:
- Shortness of breath when you exert yourself or lie down
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in legs, ankles and feet
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
- Increased need to urinate at night
- Swelling of your abdomen
- Very rapid weight gain from fluid retention
- Lack of appetite and nausea
- Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
- Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus
- Chest pain if your heart failure is caused by a heart attack
Conditions That Cause Heart Failure
The following are some conditions that damage your heart muscle and can result in heart failure:
- Ischemic heart disease – occurs when a waxy substance called plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. Plaque not only narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow, but also makes it more possible for blood clots to take shape in your artery.
- Diabetes – if you have diabetes, it means your blood glucose (sugar) level is much higher than it should be. It can damage and weaken the heart muscle and the blood vessels around the heart, causing heart failure eventually.
- High blood pressure – similar to high blood glucose level, high blood pressure is also harmful to your heart.
- Other conditions or diseases – other heart conditions or diseases may also cause heart failure, such as
- Arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects and heart valve disease.
- Alcohol abuse or cocaine and other illegal drug use.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Thyroid disorders (having either too much or too little thyroid hormone in the body).
- Too much vitamin E.
- Treatments for cancer, such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Get Tested!
Everyone should get properly tested at least once year because the earlier you find a problem, the easier it is to fix and better the results you will have. We encourage you to get tested with a properly trained HEALTH expert to identify those weaknesses in your body so you have a science based game plan to get yourself healthier. Then, plan to get tested once per year to prevent problems that could be creeping up on you. THIS IS real preventative healthcare.