Natriuretic Peptides Test-Why am I having this test?

The natriuretic peptides test helps your health care provider manage heart failure and other heart abnormalities. You may have this test:

• If you have symptoms that may be caused by heart failure or a heart attack, such as shortness of breath or fatigue.
• To monitor the treatment and advancement (progression) of heart disease.
• To check for signs that your body’s disease-fighting (immune) system is attacking your newly transplanted heart (rejection).

This test can help your health care provider determine if your symptoms are caused from heart failure, or from another condition.

What is being tested?

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are hormones that the heart cells make in response to heart failure. They help maintain blood pressure and the balance of fluids in the body when the heart is not able to do so. This test measures the amount of three types of NPs in the blood:

• ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide). This is made by the part of the heart that receives blood from the body (atrium).
• BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide). This is made by the heart’s main pumping chamber (left ventricle).
• CNP (C-type natriuretic peptide). This is made by the lining of the blood vessels (endothelial cells).

What kind of sample is taken?

A blood sample is required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

How are the results reported?

Your test results will be reported as values for each type of NP. Your health care provider will compare your results to normal ranges that were established after testing a large group of people (reference ranges). Reference ranges may vary among labs and hospitals. For this test, common normal reference ranges are:

• ANP: 22–77 pg/mL or 22–77 ng/L (SI units).
• BNP: 0–100 pg/mL or 0–100 ng/L (SI units).
• CNP: These values are yet to be determined.

What do the results mean?

Results that are within the reference ranges are considered normal. These results may mean that:

• You do not have heart failure.
• You have heart failure or a different heart disease, and your treatment is working effectively.

Results that are higher than the reference ranges may mean that:

• You have heart failure.
• You are having a heart attack.
• You have high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Your body is rejecting your transplanted heart.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

• When will my results be ready?
• How will I get my results?
• What are my treatment options?
• What other tests do I need?
• What are my next steps?

Summary

• The natriuretic peptides test helps diagnose heart failure and other heart abnormalities.
• Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are hormones that the heart cells make in response to heart failure. They help maintain blood pressure and the balance of fluids in the body when the heart is not able to do so.
• You may have this test if you have symptoms that may be caused by heart failure or a heart attack, such as shortness of breath or fatigue.