BNP and NT-BNP blood tests

[theminiaturist]

Could anyone advise me as to how often both BNP and NT-BNP blood tests should be done for someone with left ventricular systolic dysfunction? My GP requested this test for me, my last one was nearly a year ago and was higher than the previous one and the GP requested an echocardiogram,which was declined by the hospital's. The hospital refused to do the test and in the text message I received from the GP, said that they will contribute no more to my care. Are these tests not being carried out now on the NHS?

[Lezzers]

These blood tests are not part of your annual bloods, they're used as a diagnostic tool to see if you need further investigation to rule in/out heart failure. If you've already been diagnosed with HF/LSVD very occasionally your GP/cardiologist may use these tests as a marker to see how your HF is or isn't progressing but unless there is a massive increase in the levels (and/or you've become more symptomatic) then they don't really mean much, cardiologists will be more interested in symptoms. My husband's NT-proBNP level went from 600 to around the 1000 mark, it sounds a big increase but in real terms it's not really. But I would be asking why your GP felt you needed an echocardiogram and what reason the hospital have given for refusing this.

[theminiaturist in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you,Lezzers.

[Anon2023]

from what I can gather they are expensive tests so perhaps that’s why they don’t get used that often. I’ve got heart failure and I’ve only ever had one of these tests, before I was diagnosed.

[theminiaturist in reply to Anon2023]

Thank you for your reply.

[Anon2023 in reply to theminiaturist]

I should have said that my BNP came back normal and didn’t identify any problems with my heart. It was a scan that showed the problems after I had pushed my gp for more investigations. X

[theminiaturist in reply to Anon2023]

Thanks again.

[francesw47]

I had one blood test for diagnostic purposes and an echo - to look at overall functioning of my heart - before being seen by the Heart Failure consultant. I was under the impression that the blood test is not necessary after diagnosis. I have had experience of the NHS refusing to do an echocardiogram - 10 years ago at the start of this long road - and I suspect that my GP had not given enough information regarding the need for the scan. Personally, I would go back to the GP and ask what next, and what, exactly, does the GP propose to do to support you? From your message it looks as if you know you have problems with the function of your left ventricle, so maybe a conversation about a treatment plan might be productive?

[theminiaturist in reply to francesw47]

Thank you for your reply.

[Prada47]

Hello Just to say if your NTproBNP is above 300 Hospital should perform Doppler transthoracic echocardiogram within 48 hours of admission . NTproBNP can also be raised in other conditions as well as Heart Failure , CKD or High Blood Pressure etc.

Mine was 73 mg/L on my last test and my HF is classed as Moderate/Severe so it does need other tests besides BNP. Hope that helps a little.

BNP can be brought down with Beta Blockers and ACE/ARBs inhibitors

ps My Ejection Fraction is 38% which is also reasonable for Heart Failure

Personally I would be interested in what BNP actually is need to look it up !!!

Regards

[theminiaturist in reply to Prada47]

Thank you for your reply.