Hello Sir/mam, My father has been advised to go through a nt pro bnp test. I would like to know for what this test is done? He is a old patient with cad since 2012.

Question

B-type natriuretic peptide (bnp) and n-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (ntprobnp) are peptide (small proteins) that are either hormones or part of the peptide that contained the hormone at one time. They are continually produced in small quantities in the heart and released in larger quantities when the heart senses that it needs to work harder. This supports fluid retention and volume expansion in the arteries and veins. Subsequently, the heart muscle is stretched and works hard to pump blood under normal resting condition. Tests for bnp and nt-probnp measure their levels in the blood in order to detect and evaluate heart failure. The two tests are not interchangeable and should not be used together. Your healthcare practitioner should order one or the other but not both. It is important to note that heart failure is an incorrect term. The heart still pumps blood, it just has difficulty doing so. If your healthcare practitioners treat you for heart failure, they have several approaches depending upon the severity of the disease.

Sajeev Kumar · Accepted Answer

B-type natriuretic peptide (bnp) and n-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (ntprobnp) are peptide (small proteins) that are either hormones or part of the peptide that contained the hormone at one time. They are continually produced in small quantities in the heart and released in larger quantities when the heart senses that it needs to work harder. This supports fluid retention and volume expansion in the arteries and veins. Subsequently, the heart muscle is stretched and works hard to pump blood under normal resting condition. Tests for bnp and nt-probnp measure their levels in the blood in order to detect and evaluate heart failure. The two tests are not interchangeable and should not be used together. Your healthcare practitioner should order one or the other but not both. It is important to note that heart failure is an incorrect term. The heart still pumps blood, it just has difficulty doing so. If your healthcare practitioners treat you for heart failure, they have several approaches depending upon the severity of the disease.