Hello everybody
I had to have a blood test recently as have been getting slightly more short of breath (SOB) on stairs and slopes. may have been due to some other meds I was prescribed.
The GP phoned me and said i have a slightly raised BNP level and i have a face to face appointment with her on Wednesday.
Anyone else know much about this? I know its related to heart failure
No horror or scarey stories please!!
I've only just discovered what BNP means by looking it up . Sorry, but never heard of it before which is odd considering the years I've been on this forum.
Hope you get some helpful answers and wishing you well.
Jean
Thanks Jean, I will let you all know what's said!
Did they also do a Troponin level?
A slightly raised BNP level does not necessarily mean heart failure but you should consult a cardiologist do you know what your level was?
"I don't know" and "no" are the answers to those 2 questions. I am on the waiting list anyway for my yearly echo', but unfortunately my lovely cardiologist (for over 10 years) has retired and the hospital are now using "locums".....My GP will tell me levels on Wednesday
My understanding is it could be an indicator - if you are in AF you are more than likely to have raised BNP levels
Full details nbt.nhs.uk/sites/default/fi...
Snap. Mine was 800+ (900+ =heart failure). Blood test repeated after one month waiting for results but echocardiogram arrange for mid September to check ejection fraction. Last done 2019 at 65-70% . Reason --reported pitting ankles.
It's not a horror story, but just the facts! If your BNP is above 100 and you have A-fib you need to see your doctor right away. That would be why the doctor wants a face to face meeting. The other measure is a NT-pro-BNP and if it's higher than 125, same thing applies. That's measured in pg/ml. Other numbers like Bob D, said would be above 900 would increase your chances of Stroke, Heart Failure or as they say, Premature death. This is a quote from Dr John Day and the book "The A-fib Cure". Best to you! Your doctor will change your meds and/or suggest a strict diet. Wishing you the best.
Diet? Oh goodness. I am pretty slim and one of those people who has to graze constantly to keep my energy levels up!
When they say diet, it's like a total change in food you eat. Nothing processed. No salt or Sugar. Like lots of natural vegetables. THE AFIB CURE, by John D. Day MD and T. Jared Bunch, MD give an AFIB Diet, but prefer to call it a Motion. Meaning a Motion of changing your way of eating for life.
I'm currently being seen by cardiologist due to raised BNP test. 2 done so far and a 3rd at end if August after adding Furosemide to my meds.
My husband is in permanent AF has a dicky aortic valve and may need a TAVI in next couple of years, 2 MIs and stents 2005.GP did a BNP a couple of years ago, it was raised and I queried it with cardiologist in case we should add heart failure to holiday insurance. His reply " I do wish these GPs wouldn't do BNPs on people in AF". It doesn't give
That may not be much help as I can't remember how raised it was, but quite a bit I think. He said not heart failure.
Hi
It gives an indication of heart condition to age.
Not controlled I was high but controlled especially the H/R it has come down nearer my age.
Are you controlling your H/R at rest under 100?
My difference was a drastic lowering of heart rate to get under 100.
After a year my H/R has dropped further in the 60s which has improved my walking but you must exert yourself as your muscles in heart need it. I walk up the road and down to shops and more elevation coming back x 3 times week. Also other ways.
cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
Thanks. Your comments were very useful. My heart rate was 96 recently when I attended A&E for a really bad UTI, it's usually about 84, but I did have a temperature at the time.
Your most important point was the one about "walking", I have hardly had any walking exercise for well over a month...usually do an hour 2-3 times a week and a half hour swim sometimes. We went on a rail holiday to Switzerland (10 days) to celebrate my 70th birthday......mostly sitting down obviously, and since we got back the weather has not exactly been walking weather!!. Therefore my exercise has dropped and i noticed that I was getting "puffier" sooner, when I walk up the hill after i have left the house. A good way of monitoring it!
i have always worried that if my fitness dropped, because I am in AF, i wouldn't get it back up again!
I will definitely mention exercise to GP on Wednesday!
BNP can be raised for other reasons than heart. Mine was high and it wasn’t heart related, don’t know what caused it but non of my Drs were worried about it .
I've not heard of BNP either so would be interested to hear more in due course. I had read that the term 'heart failure' is unduly scary and can mean just getting older and consequently like many organs the heart is less efficient. Good luck!
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