How bad is it?

[Florence-Nightingale]

Does anyone understand BNP levels mine is 2963ng/L I think normal is between 0.0. 150. I think it indicates heart failure but not sure. Before I can have echocardiogram privately I need referral from GP who would you believe it is off sick!!

[CDreamer]

I’m no expert but my understanding is that anything above 150 requires further investigation. Doesn’t matter how high your numbers are, it’s an indicator not an absolute.

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. I wish I hadn’t looked at Dr Google!!!

[Jetcat in reply to Florence-Nightingale]

don’t look at Dr Google.!! Iv managed to diagnose myself with foot and mouth, rabies, and blossom end rot.😳

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to Jetcat]

Jetcat you really made me laugh, that is so me.

[Jetcat in reply to Florence-Nightingale]

yes, it’s so me too unfortunately.!! Iv suffered with anxiety for decades mainly health anxiety. ( any ache was the start of some terrible terminal disease.?)

It was bad enough then, but I think it’s even worse now since the arrival of DR DEATH GOOGLE.🤪

I think i suffer with it because I lost my eye at 8 years of age through a stabbing accident with a fountain pen. Drs, and people in general and my parents drilled it in to me be very careful because if lost another eye I’d be blind. and that absolutely terrified me for years.!😳

My mother was a nurse when I was a child and there were shelves full of anatomical diagrams of the human body and books showing you all the organs etc and disease symptoms and I found it very interesting and totally fascinating. So when my brother was reading his Batman comic or playing with his action man (eagle eyes) , I was reading about degenerative eye diseases, just the sort of thing you need to read when you’ve only got one eye left.? or how to fix a collapsed lung and what instruments are needed.! ( ya know just in case anyone ever asked me to re inflate their lung.?)

By ten years of age I knew even what chemical I needed to rid you of intestinal worms.! (just in case it ever popped up in conversation-of course.!!!)😂👍

[Ducky2003 in reply to Jetcat]

🤣🤣🤣

[Buffafly]

Since you have already googled yourself nearly to death here is a reliable source for you, but don’t stop reading until you get to the bit at the bottom where it says that age, diabetes and other conditions can elevate the score. If the advice has been followed you should get an assessment sooner than you think, but knowing the state of the NHS in some areas maybe not.

[Threecats]

I can't answer your query regarding BNP levels I'm afraid, other than to say, as CDreamer has mentioned, it's an indicator of a problem but then you already know that you have something going on that needs to be checked out.

With regard to the echocardiogram, whilst waiting for mine, I had a flare up of AF episodes for a while and so looked into getting a private echo done. I came across a company called Vista Health who offer echos without requiring a referral. As it happens, things settled down again, so I continued to wait for my NHS appointment but thought I'd mention it in case it's of any use to you. I've not used the company myself, maybe others have. Online reviews seem to be very good insofar as one can trust them.

I do hope Buffafly is right and you get your assessment sooner than you think.

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to Threecats]

Thank youThreecats.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

In NZ

I think it shows inflammation around the heart and the reading shows groups of age.

At the moment mine is higher tan my age but it is dropping.

Cant think think whether it was 70s and dropping or 50s and dropping but it showed a heart for a 75-80 whereas I am 73.

It is important to now the testing regime. Per ? within the measure.

Cheri. JOY. 73. (NZ)

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Oops on second thoughts mie was 156 but going down from 159 in January 2022.

January was 159.

It is age related. It read 75-80 year old but 'm 73.

Cheri. JOY. 73. (NZ)

[PatWalsh010]

Hi Florence-Nightingale,

I’ve been reading your posts with interest. I am also in permanent AF and on the usual cocktail of tabs. Getting along nicely but since AF never hadloads of energy which I put down to the tabs. I’m with my grandchildren most days aged from 4yrs to 10 months (not on my own) and I’m constantly cream crackered but I’m on my feet, bending and lifting etc.

Anyway, I got the dreaded virus last march which wasn’t too bad, just a couple of days in bed sweaty and fluey but all clear after 10 days. It hardly touched my husband so after the ten days he was full of energy and raring to go. However I was extremely tired and wanting to doze all the time. My ankles kept swelling up and I just felt like a heavy blob, any task seemed insurmountable.

I tried for a long while to get into a gp and after a telephone consultation he finally agreed to see me and did bloods, got me echo arranged and an ECG with a cardio nurse. My bloods came back normal except

NT-PRO BNP 939pg/mL and the normal range should be <400

and yes, I’ve googled!

The nurse said she compared results of echo and ecg to the last time I had them, not much has changed and they are what she would expect from someone my age with AF and the same with the blood results. We agreed I was probably getting over the virus and I would take longer than someone who didn’t have AF. This was at the end of May.

Now in October, my ankles are still fat and I’m still tired. My ankles went back to normal when we went on a beach holiday and I lay down reading for 10 days but normal duties/living I still find very tiring. I just hope I will return to how I was before the virus sometime soon. The hospital signed me off a couple of years ago and we all know how difficult it is to get into a gp so any niggles or worries and we’re bound to Google. Like most people on this site, our diet is healthy and I’m on the go most days.

I hope some of the above has given you some reassurance. I’m still here and I’ve not been given any more tabs even though Google tells me I’m ‘heart failure-ish’ 😀.

Just off topic a bit; I don’t know how others are in their relationships but I feel such a wet blanket beside my husband. He’s blessed with an abundance of energy and rarely poorly 🙏I’m like his granny! We take the dog out most evenings and he can be back in 20mins on his own but when I join him we take twice as long. And if we plan to watch a drama on telly it’s not long before I’m sleeping and look like I’ve been shot in the back of the head. It must be awful for him. I’ve often wondered how others cope. Another thread for another day perhaps.

I’ll sign off now. Patxx

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to PatWalsh010]

Thank you for your reply Pat. It is the awful fatigue that’s getting me down. I have a shower have to rest after Same with hoovering etc. Resting after each job and I can’t rush to save my life. I am 71yrs old and feel 90 !

[Buffafly in reply to PatWalsh010]

I had this problem, married to a ‘Duracell bunny’, 9 years older than me. Example: he dug a huge hole, installed a pond, after a couple of years decided he couldn’t be bothered with maintenance and filled it in! Then suddenly his batteries died, took me nine months to persuade him and his GP that there was a serious problem which turned out to be terminal cancer. Now he spends most of his day in a chair or bed, also has early dementia so can’t even do the tax return 😬 Luckily I am having an episode of ‘wellness’ and have support. I’m sure your husband is very happy that you are still ‘here’ and it sounds to me as though you are working very hard. Perhaps your husband could use some of his energy to help? Even my husband does little things for me sometimes like pairing up socks or clearing the dishwasher. Best wishes ❤️‍🩹

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to Buffafly]

Hi Buffafly I have a wonderful husband who at the age of 74yrs is still working 4days a week. We support each other he had Thyroid cancer diagnosed 3 years ago and fortunately his operations and treatment have worked to date. I often wish I could take Thyroxine like him ,he seems to have so much energy. He is very supportive of me would give up work in an instant to look after me. I have always been quite independent so am hoping once cardiologists sort me out I will feel better.

[Buffafly]

Oops, cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hear...

[Florence-Nightingale]

boberch see my reply to bufferfly meant to be for you. I am 71yrs.I am Not active really at the moment I think I’ve lost a bit of confidence when outside.Thank you for your reply.

[Buffafly]

I think meant for PatWalsh?

[Bagrat]

BNP like a lot of blood results have to be judged by a lot of other things.

My OH had raised BNP ( requested by GP)

When he saw consultant he said " wish GPs wouldn't request this when they know you're in AF, it can skew results".

This was a few years back and he's still much the same though valve checks now 2 yearly in spite of his breathlessness (which he denies is a problem, although always kn!@#$@ed

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to Bagrat]

That’s very interesting Bagrat. Thank you.

[NLGA in reply to Bagrat]

that’s interesting as my bNP is raised 484 but I suffer with AF

[Florence-Nightingale]

That a good idea will give it a go. Thank you boberch.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Thanx. I asked my doctor.

You were saying Directics....... and nothing. What were you saying?

cheers JOY. 73. (NZ)

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

There are many names.

Reading about this test. It is used for heart failure.. it shows a level of oxygen circulating through the body.

It is likely to go up with age.

Diuretics give false readings (the level of peptides protein in the body).

Also used to see how liver and kidneys working.

Her reading is massive. False reading perhaps).

She needs an ECHO, ECG, 24-hr MONITOR

cheri JOY

[NLGA in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

my echo was ok yet BNP high so very confusing for me

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Thanx

It is more than that....

Oxygen rate circulating through your body.

I've made up my mind to set out daily exercising.. so far so good

I know that 2 hours after my Diliazem CCB walking to top of my road is easier.

Before 12 it's time to walk JAZ.

5 days now I have kept to my timetable. Weather could upset especially if rain is heavy.

I don't drink alcohol, never smoked! Used to be a national 100yds/m runner.

cheri JOY

No swollen feet except 5-6 hrs driving in heat although stops.

[BlueINR]

If you have a copy of the lab report, the normal ranges are usually shown with the test result. Labs can vary in ranges, though yours sounds like it may be a bit high and I would talk to your doctor about it. A real doctor, not Dr Google.

[Florence-Nightingale]

Thank you for your reply Blue INR. The normal range for BPN is 0-150. I have also read that in the people with AF it’s usually raised. I have managed to get a telephone consult with GP on Tuesday.

[NLGA in reply to Florence-Nightingale]

have you been able to get your bNP down ?

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to NLGA]

Yes NLGA it was over 2000, so the lab automatically referred me to cardiology where I was given ecg ,echocardiogram and then saw cardiologist who said I was in mild heart failure but was not overly concerned about BNP says most are raised in people with AF.

[NLGA in reply to Florence-Nightingale]

thank you Florence

That’s good info as I am a little concerned about my increase

Have you been able to reduce your bNP at all

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to NLGA]

No idea .Had dual halter for AF and BP on 7/11/22. Despite calls to clinic GP and consultant secretary have had no results !!!!! I think I have to get a bit stroppy with someone, which I hate doing but they leave me no choice.

[NLGA in reply to Florence-Nightingale]

I had similar 5 months wait anyway I got onto PALS they were great as I was getting no where with the GP or cardio secretary couldn’t even get a reply

[PatWalsh010]

hi again-Buffafly I can’t get you out of my head. Your husband sounds just like mine and I often advise him to slow down a bit - yeah as if! To think how things can change, I’m so sorry to hear your story. Duracell bunny is so apt, he can’t do anything slowly. It must be strange for you to be in the ‘stronger’ position. Just shows we can’t take anything for granted 🥰 🥰, share the kisses with him😀. I am 68 and my fella is 66. He has no problem doing kitchen duty and he enjoys nappy changing 🤣, he adores the kids and they love him too, he is full of fun and energy which suits them. My daughter in law says we are a good tag team. 😳

Florence-Nightingale - yes crushing fatigue, limbs feel like a ton weight but on the surface we look ok so it’s difficult for people to understand. For me though, this is since the virus. Before the virus I was able to stride out but not happy with hills. I put that down to the tabs. I look forward to hearing how you get on. Sending lots of positive vibes. Patxx

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to PatWalsh010]

Thank you Pat

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Mine was 59 but has dropped to 52 after operation for removal of TVT MESH.

In NZ each age group is given an indication.

Mine is still in the 75-80yrs range. I'm 73.1/2.

cheri JOY

[confused71]

mine is 857 cut off point is around 400 age is a factorI am 77

[NLGA]

Hi Bob

could AF trigger a high BNP as the hearts under stress at the time of the test

[NLGA]

thanks Bob that’s interesting

Mine is 485 which shocked me the text was 23/12/22 I never received the normal phone call phoned the GP reception to be told no action required but picked up the printed copy to find it’s up to 485 . Bit of a shock

[NLGA]

so heavy AF is putting the strain in certain circumstances?

[NLGA]

pretty sure it’s the normal one 485ng/l