Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test
Beta-Natriuretic Peptide, BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) Test
Results
A brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test measures the amount of the BNP hormone in the blood. Normal values of BNP vary widely among labs and depend on the method used for measurement.
Brain natriuretic peptide Normal: 0–99 picograms per millilitre (pg/mL) or 0-99 nanograms per litre (ng/L) SI units. No heart failure is present.
Abnormal: 100–300 pg/mL or 100-300 ng/L (SI units) suggests heart failure may be present.
300 pg/mL or 300 ng/L (SI units) or higher is considered mild heart failure.
600 pg/mL or 600 ng/L (SI units) or higher is considered moderate heart failure.
900 pg/mL or 900 ng/L (SI units) or higher is considered severe heart failure.
The amount of a related substance, called N-terminal pro brain-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), may be measured instead of BNP. The results from the NT-proBNP test are different than those from the BNP test but provide similar information. In some cases this test can diagnose heart failure in a person who does not have obvious heart failure symptoms.
High values
A high value of BNP in the blood:
- Indicates an increased amount of fluid or high pressure inside the heart.
- Indicates a higher chance of death in people with heart failure.
- May show early heart failure in people on kidney dialysis.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: August 21, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine George Philippides, MD - Cardiology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
| How It Is Done | |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
 | Results |
| What Affects the Test | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |
| Credits | |