BNP 180

[NLGA]

hi all

Anyone improved there BNP through diet exercise?

mine is 180 so a bit higher than what I’m told is normal for a 52 year old male

I am overweight which I am trying to improve

[RufusScamp]

As you realize, losing some weight would be a very good idea. If your BP stays too high and you are offered medication, it might be worth taking it for a while because of the damage very high BP can do. Your GP is the best person to advise you.As to diet, eat more vegetables, and try to avoid salty processed foods.

I hope you get an improvement fairly soon.

[NLGA in reply to RufusScamp]

Hi Rufus by BNP I was referring to the blood test for HF my actual blood pressure is ok

[Lezzers in reply to NLGA]

Hi NGLA, a high BNP level doesn't necessarily mean you have HF, only that further tests are required to either confirm or eliminate it as other conditions such as an infection can cause elevated BNP levels. 180 isn't particularly high, I believe it's when it's 400+ then it's of real concern, have you had a echocardiogram or MRI confirming you have HF?

[NLGA in reply to Lezzers]

Hi Lezzers

I have had a echo resulting in mild concentric LVH , EF of 50 ,mild MR and 50 per cent hypokinetic septum .

When I was in hospital as unfortunately I caught Pneumonia a couple of weeks after the echo and a A and E doctor said “ you know you have heart failure “ which was a shock so my GP sent me for the BNP

I have AF but not persistent

[Lezzers in reply to NLGA]

Who arranged for the echo & explained the results to you? It's unusual to have a BNP test after an echo, although sometimes the test is used to see if the HF has progressed. Hopefully you're on the right medication now. I wouldn't be too concerned about an EF of 50 as that's the lower end of normal usually you're only considered to have HF if your EF is lower than 46. It's possible the elevated BNP result could have been because of your pneumonia, but again 180 isn't very high. My husband has HF, his BNP was in the 600's (that's not considered too high) & it increased to just under a 1000, neither his GP, his HF nurse or cardiologist were concerned, it sounds a large increase but in reality it's not. Certainly following a healthy diet & exercise plan & losing weight (if you are overweight) will help your heart health.

[NLGA in reply to Lezzers]

Hi Lezzers that’s good information Your right about the back to front order I was in hospital with AF and various bloods were taken they arranged the Echo but no one has explained I have kind to work through it myself . I was still breathless so my GP said he would send me for the BNP test to see results himself and like you wasnt concerned to much . I was due CV the 12th Of August but as it wasn’t persistent they decided they can’t do it at the pre op . I was told I would have a follow up appointment and this week a letter came with next February as the date and to be honest I wonder if they think CV was performed

To this day I haven’t spoke to a hospital rep about my echo

[Lezzers in reply to NLGA]

I'm confused then as to who told you you have HF? I can't help with the CV as I have no experience but I would ask your GP to explain the echo results to you to put your mind at rest, you could also ask if they could chase up the Feb appt for an earlier one, but whilst Feb seems a long time to wait rest assured that if you were considered an urgent case you wouldn't be waiting that long. My husband has had his next cardiologist appt and that's for Jan next year, although he is also under HF nurses & they're in regular contact with him.

[NLGA in reply to Lezzers]

Hi Lezzers When I was taken into A and E with Pneumonia the doctor dealing with me over 4 hours as my AF was high at the same time told me me as he was about to do a ECG on me he said it as if I should know or new , that was the first I had been told

[Lezzers in reply to NLGA]

Drs in A&E don't always get it right, they're not cardiologists so would be interesting to know on what he based his diagnosis! I would ask your GP or phone the BHf nurses for an explanation of your echo results. The problem with googling, and we've all done it, is it's too easy to misinterpret what we reading, there's lots of misinformation out there & often we find what we're looking for because it fits what we're looking for...if that makes sense!

[NLGA in reply to Lezzers]

Yes good point my GP said it’s not HF but didn’t really go into detail . Now he’s looking at my lungs for the breathing issue although my peak flow is 700 every day pretty much and I have had a few x rays but bit I. Detail only looking to make sure the Pneumonia/ bacteria was clear although you would hope any other shading would have been seen if there

[RufusScamp in reply to NLGA]

Sorry. Read it as BP, and thought "That's a bit high!"

[NLGA]

my bNP is up to 484 now no mention of heart failure from yer doctors though ?