Significance BNP Test Results?

[KimC]

Hi, everyone.

I have a question. I'm looking at my recent lab work from the Mayo Clinic, and noted that my BNP is 24. I'm female, under 40.

In the "Notes" section, I see that elevated BNP (above 15) correlates with NYHA functional class. The breakdown looks like this:

I: 15 to 499 pg/ml
II: 10 to 1080 pg/ml
III: 38 to >1300
IV: 147 to >1300
All CHF 22 >1300 pg/ml

I'm hoping for interpretation or perspective. If I'm technically in CHF, I'm certainly in a compensated state because I feel great. But even so, you know, I'm in CHF.

Would you expect to see elevated BNP with aortic regurgitation that isn't severe? I guess that's the question.

I went to see Dr. Chesebro at the Mayo to establish myself with a local cardio. I'm still keeping the one I love in Gainesville, just moving a little closer to someone I trust. Chesebro wants me back for a stress test and has kept me on my meds.

BTW, no one has said, "You're in heart failure," even though I'm on CHF drugs. Is that how it works? You just figure it out on your own unless it's severe and obvious, to protect the patient's emotional health? I'd rather know the truth, frankly.

Thanks. I hope y'all are healthy and well.

Warm regards,

 

[Ross]

What does the test result mean?
NOTE: A standard reference range is not available for this test. Because reference values are dependent on many factors, including patient age, gender, sample population, and test method, numeric test results have different meanings in different labs. Your lab report should include the specific reference range for your test. Lab Tests Online strongly recommends that you discuss your test results with your doctor. For more information on reference ranges, please read Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

Higher-than-normal results suggest that a person is in heart failure, and the level of BNP or NT-proBNP in the blood is related to the amount or severity of heart failure. Higher levels of BNP or NT-proBNP also may be associated with a worse outlook for the patient.

Is there anything else I should know?
BNP and NT-proBNP levels decrease in most patients who have been taking drug therapies for heart failure, such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics. Levels of both BNP and NT-proBNP tend to increase with age. Levels of NT-proBNP and, to a lesser extent, BNP, are increased in persons with kidney disease.
While both BNP and NT-proBNP will rise with left ventricle dysfunction and either can be measured, they are not interchangeable and the results cannot be directly compared.

 

[Nancy]

Kim-

Your BNP test results will not be constant. They fluctuate according to how your heart is doing at the time of the test.

CHF ebbs and flows and even with those who have this as a chronic condition, it can get better and worse.

Joe has had CHF for many, many years. He's been in all classes of the problem and recovered and then gone back into it again. It can be stable for quite a while and then, BAM, it's back again.

I would say that if you are feeling fine with no obvious symptoms, then you probably are.

CHF tends to make you sit up and take notice.

You would be short of breath, possibly coughing, have trouble sleeping because you cannot lie flat, have pitting edema in your extremities, or have ascites (fluid in the abdomen). And you would have sudden weight gain, 2 or more pounds overnight, or 5 pounds over a few days.

 

[KimC]

Thanks, Nancy. I find it amazing that I was so sick a few years ago, lived and am living well. Thank God, and my will to live and crazy persistence to find out what was wrong!

Ross, the reference range was 0-64, which correlates with my symptoms and medications. (I'm not on the meds for a more severe class). Does that make sense then?

Thanks.

 

[KimC]

One more thing, it says > 0 but < 200 is "likely compensated CHF." Can they just speak plain English, por favor?

 

[Ross]

One more thing, it says > 0 but < 200 is "likely compensated CHF." Can they just speak plain English, por favor?

Greater then 0 but less then 200. Tells ya a lot huh?

All I'm trying to say is don't believe the numbers thing. Everyone is different, so there really isn't a normal range.

 

[KimC]

Thanks, Ross.

My latest echo has mild mitral and pulmonary regurgitation in addition to all of the other valves leaking, albeit none over 2+. Sound strange?

I've never seen pulmonary regurg. on any of my reports before.

It's hard to accept that they know what's causing the abnormalities, i.e, microvascular disease that enlarges the heart. Part of me wants to say, "ARE YOU SURE ?"

The good news is that all other dimensions are normal; a little higher than a year ago though.

Best,