Bonds b-type natriuretic peptide?
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
BNP levels go up when the heart cannot pump the way it should. A result greater than 100 pg/mL is abnormal. The higher the number, the more likely heart failure is present and the more severe it is. Sometimes other conditions can cause high BNP levels.
A B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) test gives your provider information about how your heart is working. This blood test measures the levels of a protein called BNP in your bloodstream. When your heart has to work harder to pump blood, it makes more BNP. Higher levels of BNP can be a sign of heart failure.
Indeed, elevation of NT-proBNP may occur in a number of heart diseases (including heart muscle disease, valve disease, rhythm abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, and cytotoxic injury to the heart) and in disease processes other than primary cardiac illnesses, including gram-negative sepsis.
The age-range-specific optimal serum NT-proBNP cut-offs for detecting heart failure in adults were previously determined to be 450 pg/mL for patients <50 years, 900 pg/mL for patients 50–75 years, and 1800 pg/mL for patients >75 years.
Critical value : BNP: >400 pg/mL (heart failure likely)
In this study, we found that extremely high BNP value (>5000 ng/L) had a serious influence on both the short-term and long-term mortality rate. The mortality rate of 13 cases in 3 months was 53.8% (7/13), in 2 years was 69.2% (9/13) and in 5 years all patients died (13/13).
Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, spironolactone, and diuretics reduces BNP levels, suggesting that BNP testing may have a role in monitoring patients with heart failure.
A simple, accurate, inexpensive tests can measure BNP in blood samples. BNP is very helpful in diagnosing HF. A normal BNP level makes HF less likely, freeing doctors to hunt for other conditions that may be causing shortness of breath or fluid retention.
| Age Range | BNP Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| All ages | Under 100 pg/mL | Normal |
| Ages 50 and older | 450 pg/mL and up | Acute heart failure |
| Ages 50 to 75 | 900 pg/mL and up | Acute heart failure |
| Ages 75 and older | 1,800 pg/mL and up | Acute heart failure |
Can dehydration cause high BNP?
High left ventricular filling pressures lead to increased B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Dehydration with low filling pressures can also lead to high B-type natriuretic peptide levels due to the presence of concomitant renal impairment.
In a study involving 54 patients without heart diseases, BNP levels could be elevated in the acute phase of community-acquired microbial infections, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and lower respiratory tract infection, even in the absence of severe sepsis or septic shock.
- One study found that people who cut down on the amount of salt in their diet lowered their BNP.
- Another found that omega-3 fatty acids could lower BNP, but not a lot.
- Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables may help.
- Avoid alcohol, which can weaken your heart muscle.
Heart failure can progress, so researchers have identified four stages of the disease — A, B, C and D. Health care professionals also classify heart failure when it has progressed to stages C and D. This classification measures a patient's overall heart function and severity of symptoms.
Having either high LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) or low HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol)—or both—is one of the best predictors of your risk of heart disease.
Clinical Significance
[54] The sensitivity of BNP in HF is approximately 97%. Therefore a normal BNP level (less than 100 pg/mL) virtually excludes heart failure and should prompt a search for noncardiac causes of dyspnea.
| Condition | Ages | BNP Level (pg/mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Any | Less than 300 |
| Possible heart failure | Under the age of 50 | More than 450 |
| Possible heart failure | Between ages 50 to 75 | More than 900 |
| Possible heart failure | Over the age of 75 | More than 1,800 |
Heart failure isn't a blanket diagnosis; the stage and type of heart failure will indicate the treatment you need. It can be diagnosed in four stages—A, B, C and D—ranging in severity of damage and symptoms.
Elevated serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are associated with cardioembolic stroke mainly because of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the mechanisms of increased serum BNP levels are hitherto unclear.
In general, about half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive 5 years. About 30% will survive for 10 years. In patients who receive a heart transplant, about 21% of patients are alive 20 years later.
What does Stage 4 congestive heart failure look like?
Stage four of congestive heart failure produces severe symptoms such as rapid breathing, chest pain, skin that appears blue, or fainting. These symptoms may occur whether you are exercising or at rest. In this stage, your doctor will discuss if surgery is beneficial.
- pain.
- breathlessness on minimal exertion or at rest.
- persistent cough.
- fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- limited physical activity.
- depression and anxiety.
- constipation.
- loss of appetite and nausea (feeling sick)
When you have heart failure, fluid can build up causing swelling in your feet, legs or belly making your heart work harder. Fluid can also build up in your lungs, which may cause you to have trouble breathing. How much fluid can you have in a day? You should have no more than 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid in a day.
Stage A (pre-heart failure) means you're at a high risk of developing heart failure because you have a family history of congestive heart failure or you have one or more of these medical conditions: Hypertension. Diabetes. Coronary artery disease.
The good news is that advancements are constantly being made in treating CHF. However, despite the advancements, 5 years is the life expectancy of about 50% of those diagnosed with CHF. 90% of those in advanced CHF stages will pass away within a year. At moderate stages, patients average 10 years.
