Serum pro-BNP peptide level Test

[angedogs]

I was diagnosed with heart failure four years ago and I am on quite a few meds for it as well as having a CRT-D implant. A few weeks ago I went to see my GP because I was getting very breathless. I was surprised to be sent for a BNP blood test as I believe some medications can give false low levels. I went back to see a different GP to discuss my results and she announced that I don't have heart failure. For a second I was gob-smacked thinking "Am I cured? Why is she saying this?" then I realised it was because my Serum pro-BNP peptide test came back at 73ng/L which is low and she hadn't bothered to check my records to see that I have heart failure. My question is: how much can medication affect the result of BNP and how effective is this test and should I have been given it considering the meds I am on?

[Nettyanne]

Hi angegogs. Sorry I don't know how BNP tests are affected by meds, hopefully someone else on here will know.

My most recent BNP result was 1177 and I am waiting for a date for mitral valve replacement, this will be my 2nd heart surgery as I had a mitral valve repair in 2007 which has now failed.

Do you have a heart failure nurse that you could contact or maybe give the BHF helpline a call. Hope you get some answers soon.

Best wishes

[angedogs in reply to Nettyanne]

Thanks Nettyanne.

My results are very low compared to yours and I can't imagine medication making that much difference to them. I will take your advise and call the BHF helpline. I did have very regular contact with the heart failure nurses while my meds were being titrated but I was discharged into the care of my GP surgery about a year ago and they have made a few mistakes since then. Ideally I could do with another echo which will be more reliable than the BNP test.

Good luck with your mitral valve replacement surgery.