Having a blood test next Friday one of the things on the request is BNP. I looked this up and read about it on Wikipedia

[Terjo]

Apparently it's been in use since 2002 . I can't fit any of the Categories to me. Has anyone had this test ? And what were you told ? Sorry to be so abrupt but I'd really like to hear your views. Thank you. Teresa

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry Teresa I have not heard of it before.

but then I don ;t always read the script on the blood test forms.

Bob

[Terjo]

I asked the doctor what he was testing as I knew it would be kidney and liver function and he said BNP I asked him what it was ,he told me what the initials stood for but not why he was doing it. I couldn't remember so he said to look it up on the iPad which I've done and it's pretty scary stuff ! Thanks Bob. Teresa

[Bagrat]

I have not come across the test either but having read the wikipedia stuff very superficially from a nurses background, I think your doctor is being thorough. BNP MAY be raised in heart failure and kidney failure. It is not a foolproof test for either and there is a grey area where the levels are not conclusive. It does sound scary I agree but only if the results are taken in conjunction with other symptoms and tests and turn out to be raised are they of any significance. webmd.com/heart-disease/bra.... Although this is an American site, it does explain quite well I think

WendyB

[Terjo]

Thank you Wendy, I read through all the explanations but still don't find any of them to fit. Still I suppose as I always have a cold this winter or so it seems, I might find out something about why? I started taking irbersartan on the 9th December last year and after initial struggles and lots of pluses, feeling much warmer and able to do far more without getting tired, I'm nearly up to 2 tablets of 75mg a day (taken at bedtime).

I also take Flecanide to keep the AF at bay 50 mg twice daily .

I walk and live in a house with lots of stairs which we use all the time. That together with all the jobs and gardening to be done is great exercise each day. We do not eat meat but enjoy a healthy diet. I weigh 9stone and my husband who is 87 in April is 10st 8lbs, but my weights shifted ! Thank you for your kind reply I hope you are ok will let you all know the results of the tests( or what I can find out) when I see the doctor or cardiologist, good luck. Teresa

[Bagrat in reply to Terjo]

I occasionally get a weird collection of symptoms and my GP said he would do 3 day urine collection to rule out phaeochromocytoma!!¬ eek He said my symptoms fitted but it was unlikely and added - I've never found anyone with it yet!! I wasn't the one either.

Please don 't worry - doc has probably read about it in a recent medical journal he's read and wants to make sure he's covered all bases. Kind Regards.WendyB

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Maybe the N is an M. A BMP is a basic metabolic panel. That test just gives basic information on electrolytes, kidney function, and blood glucose.

[Terjo]

Thanks Granma nice to hear from you.

I'd like to think that too ! But I do believe I heard brain as the first word in the answer, still I hope that I misheard it. Hope you are well. T

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to Terjo]

Hi Terjo

I think you did hear brain, for me a BNP test is exactly what they do when you go into hospital with and AF Episode, it's to make sure that there is no underlying damage to the heart. Its full name is brain natriuretic peptide test, and measuring this tells them if you have any damage to the heart muscles.

I am not however a medic as I keep saying and I bow to Bagrat's nurses background and her knowledge, but I just think your doctor is being belt and braces and good luck to him and you for doing that.

Be well

Ian

[Terjo]

Thank you for that Ian, I'm reasured. Terjo