BNP test for hear failure
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I'm wondering how accurate the bnp test for heart failure is? My test result came back normal, but 4-5 months before the test i was started on ramipril for blood pressure which i read is also used for heart failure. Could the ramipril lower my bnp to normal even if i were to have heart failure. I've been extremely short of breath, tired and have had some chest discomfort for quite a while. I'm due for an echocardiogram next month but until then my doctor decided to do the blood test to check for heart failure. I'm wondering if it was pointless now and if the ramipril would be making my numbers normal even if i have heart failure?
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TurtleTom amk291
Posted
I know that the heart releases a certain chemical/enzyme/something when something is not right, which will probably be what the blood test is checking for
Scotgal amk291
Posted
I can personally vouch for that test's accuracy, I had that test run when I went to a major NYC
hospital two years ago, it came back at 145 and the specialist told me that anything over 100
indicates absolute heart failure. Several months later it was checked again and was 69, which
made my day. To my knowledge, I don't believe any blood pressure drugs could make that # normal, because the left ventricle of the heart secretes an enzyme that is actually beneficial when the heart is being strained. While it is called brain natriuretic peptide, it has nothing to do with the brain, but it is a very reliable test. Hope this information helps.