The blood test that detects heart failure

Today I am going to talk about a really interesting blood test that detects weakness of the heart muscle (heart failure). This test is called BNP. BNP stands for brain natriuretic peptide and this test is already being used commonly in medical practice.
Before I talk about this BNP, I wanted to start off by talking about heart failure. In heart failure, the fundamental problem is that the heart is unable to pump blood to match the body’s requirements. The common symptoms therefore include breathlessness, fatigue, ankle swelling and exercise intolerance. Patients with heart failure can’t push themselves as much as normal people and therefore have a much more limited exercise capacity. It is also worth understanding that in the early stages, the heart failure may not cause any symptoms at all and therefore can be very difficult to detect.
There are several problems with heart failure:
People with a weak heart don’t, in general, live as long as people with a strong heart (but with treatment, we can definitely improve prognosis)
People with a weak heart,in general, don’t have as good a quality of life as people with a strong heart (but with effective treatment we can definitely improve quality of life)
We recognise that without treatment, the weakness of the heart can continue to worsen and therefore early detection and treatment is essential
The symptoms can be quite non specific and don’t necessarily immediately point to the diagnosis (Breathlessness/ tiredness/leg swelling etc). They also don’t correlate with severity of heart failure.
The gold standard test to make the diagnosis is an echocardiogram which is a specialist investigation, needs trained personnel and therefore not as easily available.
So in essence, Heart failure is an important, disabling and dangerous condition which can be treated quite effectively (if treated early) but the symptoms are non-specific and the gold standard test is not as easily or quickly available; and therefore the idea of a simple blood test to make the diagnosis is really very attractive. This is where the BNP blood test comes in.

[@cutabove9046]

After a major heart attack several years ago my BNP was 700. It turned out that 30% of the left side of my heart is scar tissue and nonfunctional. It remained 700 no matter the drugs were prescribed and taken, or the amount of exercise (walking 3 to 5 miles a day) I did. My heart continued to weaken. Then I decided to do an experiment. I reduced sodium to under 500 mg a day (which by the way is difficult. It meant no restaurant food, and nothing packaged and that included bread.). My BNP dropped to 230 two months later. Six months after my very low salt diet was started BNP dropped to 197. One year after very low sodium and BNP dropped to 173. I'll continue with the program and see just how low it will get.

[@theguvnor5964]

Thanks for sharing....yes,its very difficult to cut out sodium.Good luck with everything

[@Iwantenglandback]

That is wonderful! Well done.

[@LykMike]

Heck yeah!

[@suerome9718]

Hello! Update to share?

[@paulettewilliams6435]

Praise the Lord! I'm happy for you! Majority of diseases, if not all can be reversed through eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains! That's God's original diet for us!Diseases are mostly related to wrongful foods that we consume daily! Please keep up the good work, I'll be praying for you!🙏😊

[@denises2847]

Sanjay is the most articulate "explainer" of complex medical information. Genius! and an amazing service for anyone who is curious about medicine. All doctors could take a lesson from him .

[@cristinaordon2888]

I completely agree !

[@rt193682]

Yes, he is just excellent and explains everything so I can understand.

[@meghoward2610]

Thank you for all your videos. I appreciate the clarity of the explanations.

[@nancyharris7020]

An educated patient is an empowered patient. An empowered patient can take steps that could improve their outcome. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. Sharing your knowledge with viewers could be the most impactful actions of your whole career. ☀️

[@artvelcro]

Look forward to your videos. Your explanations are thorough and easily understood. Thanks again.

[@chibi2121]

Thank you, I love your videos ! You explain complex things in a way that makes it easy to understand. I appreciate it so much when somebody takes the time to share their knowledge. You are awesome ! I look forward to your next videos.

[@bjohnson5835]

As always a most informative, easy to follow video. It fills in all the gaps that may be left by routine Cardiology consultations. Thank you so much for all the time and trouble you devote to making these videos.

[@joycejune64]

thank you so much … understanding the issues takes the fear away … keep doing what you're doing!

[@azifahahmed4462]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. As an RN and pt with HF, I really enjoyed and learned a lot from your video. God bless you.

[@ingerziiii]

WoW! Thank you very much. Just discovered you. Very easy to comprehend what you're saying. I truly appreciate you putting these very valuable videos out for us to truly understand thing's about ourselves.

[@chrismunns3480]

I found these videos a few weeks ago and boy are they helpful. I'm in DeLand north of you, so who knows you might see me someday. But seriously, I am 68 and raising my two teenagers and very healthy. I did have cardiomyopathy 11 years ago and they said it was healed. Gone. Wasn't viral. I do holistic. So who knows what I did right, I have an idea. But now, it may be back. Probably never really went away fully. Your videos are extremely helpful on understanding all the tests that they do and not to get scared, which some doctors kind of do. I know they're trying to help but your videos are extremely helpful in understanding the results . Keep them coming and God bless you.

[@carolbenson6524]

We so appreciate the information you give us. Really helps sorting out symptoms pertaining to the heart. I've learned so much today. Thank you.

[@handofgrace5066]

Very helpful to know this. Also, you explain things very detailed and clearly and can be easily understood. Thank you for helping us understand these complex medical issues and what the possible solutions are. All the information you share is very much appreciated. You are an excellent instructor and teacher. :)

[@mariondavis7811]

I am so glad that I saw this today...such a great explanation of the role of the BNP test and possible causes for it's elevation. Thank you yet again, for your clear and thoughtful information videos... I am awaiting an ECHO because my BNP test was borderline. This is so helpful to know, a thousand thanks! x

[@joypolk3093]

I so appreciate your videos and the clear information that you so generously give.

[@gilbertoportillo6650]

Thank you for keeping us informed. Blessings from Virginia USA.

[@michelesoto5919]

Thank you for touching on Entresto!! Was put on it earlier this year and started my 3rd increase and don’t know if coincidence, but started feeling better after the first day after dragging, fatigue & brain fatigue since 2009 with TBI then AHF 2019.

[@nolebuc1]

Thank you Doctor! You are a true blessing. I suddenly started experiencing PVCs a few weeks ago. A Holter Monitor showed I was having less than 100 per day, but unnerving to say the least. I was not experiencing any symptoms other than a "flutter" feeling in my chest. The doctor suggested an echocardiogram and I inquired about the BNP test in lieu of the expensive procedure since I currently am uninsured. He agreed and the test came back very low in the teens. So, for now I have some much needed peace of mind and the diagnosis right now is benign PVCs. Your videos made me aware of the test. Thank you for what you do.

[@ellentewkesbury5936]

Thank you so much for the wonderful clarity of your explanation. I have a high BNP reading but no real understanding of what this meant until I happened upon your excellent information. Greatly relieved.

[@scooterbelle6443]

Good explanation. You are such a good teacher ! This is the first test my doctor ordered.

[@farrelgeisler245]

Loved the Information. My father died of congestive heart failure and I am working with diet and exercise because of high blood pressure. The more information I can get is very helpful. Much appreciation!

[@debbiezilinski6723]

Thank you so so much for explaining about BNP. My husband's cardiologist kept saying his BNP was grossly elevated but wouldn't explain when asked. I really appreciate all your videos, they are very informative. God bless you ❤️

[@johannesvanhoek9080]

Thank you very much for the information in the video I appreciate all the information coming forth it makes me feel better about the situation that they’re telling me that I have because my BNP being 140 , it’s nice to know that there are other things that can raise the number as well , I APPRECIATE YOU 👍

[@sandraritchie6512]

Your information is very good. I worked as a nurse in cardiology for 15yrs. I have learnt a lot from you Thank you for you videos they have very good and practical knowledge that patients need to know.

[@AlpacaMade]

Thank you, you've made this topic crystal clear and have given realistic expectations.👍

[@sheilajames7586]

Very informative. Thank you for taking the time to educate us heart failure.

[@sirfultonbishop]

Heart issues can be very upsetting and we don’t often feel like we’re getting enough information or understanding what info we do have so thank you for your in-depth yet easy to understand videos!

[@bonnierobinson8684]

Yep my doctor is not good at explaining this! This is why I am here!

[@Romans15.32]

Good video, very educating. Also, you have a very easy going disposition which I imagine is comforting to your patients. This is important because there is an emotional component with illness. Thank you

[@theredfaceofficial]

Thank you Dr Sanjay Gupta for your great information in this video. You are doing an amazing job helping others like myself better understand heart health. My mother passed away in 2011 from heart failure which started after a major heart attack in 2010. She lived another 20 months after that first heart attack. I really do miss her. ❤️🙏🏽

[@nickywilks7928]

Yet again a other fabulous informative video...thanks so much Dr Gupta!.

[@pbohearn]

You have such a calm and pleasant demeanor as well, excellent bedside manner as they used to say which counts for a lot for the patient. I worked as a medical psychologist for 27 years and what is so critical even in this world of electronics information is the doctor patient relationshipin terms of outcomes. You have that personality that most patients would feel secure and confident in your caring attitude and tone. Of course you are a textbook of knowledge, but more than that the caring shows in your eyes.

[@billchambers4614]

Excellent clear explanation ! Brilliant !!

[@SH-qp3qc]

Very informative, thank you. I have a myocardial bridge, have had small heart attack and noticed on blood tests taken late last week included BNP. I didn’t know what that was, but thanks to you I now do. Don’t have results yet.

[@eugenelui14]

Thank you Dr. Gupta for all the wonderful infro ...

[@lindak3898]

Very interesting and informative, thank you.

[@SgtMallard]

Thank you for this. I'm currently studying for a Heart failure nurse interview. This has been really helpful.

[@hannahotwa1047]

Thank God for dr.Gupta. You are the best educator dr.Gupta. Thank you for all yours videos. You are great. 👍❤️👍❤️👍❤️

[@judyconnors-holland3910]

Very comforting to hear

[@endtimelion4165]

Thanks brother this gave me a bit of hope that i dont have chf. Real doctors explain things thoroughly like you did. Thanks and God bless

[@serendipity8209]

Very very well described in simple layman's terms. Excellent video.

[@latchmansugrim9245]

Very informative doc,thank u

[@vegasrichsave]

Thank you for helpful videos Dr Sanjay Gupta

[@ashapatil226]

Very very useful information sir... Thank you for sharing video on BNP

[@rcz2023]

Great video, Thank You!

[@grahambaker5235]

When I was diagnosed with Afib out of the blue.it was you who gave me sensible and sound advice. Followed your advice and I,m Afib free for the last 50 days thanks Sanjay.

[@rodouladoulos1548]

how did you manaGe that???? can you elaborate on it!!!!

[@khalidaparveen5735]

Please share your treatment plan, how did you followed Dr. Gupta and managed your AFIB.

[@phyllismok6033]

Thank you so much for your information

[@AmanVerma-hx3bm]

So informative ....Thanks Sir

[@chrisbennett6260]

great video very. informative thank you

[@irenenavarrette1918]

Hi Dr. Gupta! How are you Sir? This is very good information. I'm learning so much and understanding my labs! You are blessing, love you! Thanks again, appreciate you!

[@latchmansugrim9245]

Great advice doc

[@kishorkodial7097]

The explanation can not be any better than told here. BNP levels importance can be gauged from Ur talk. Very educative, informative and gives guidance. Wonderful talk. U are gifted to teach at PG level and even to condescend to KG (beginner level). MY hats off to U dr.sir. God bless U and family.

[@YorkCardiology]

thank you so much!

[@tonyc9035]

My mum died of CHF years ago. Hadn't heard about BNP blood test then. This is empowering and most helpful moving forward for my family and me. Thank you Dr. Sanjay for sharing this. May God bless you.

[@ltpdogtrainingNJ]

Sorry to hear that your Mom passed away. My 94½yr Aunt was admitted to the hospital today& her BNP level was 1600!! They are scheduling an ultrasound tomorrow. I'm grateful for Dr Gupta as well. Knowledge is power. Blessings to you as well.

[@Sophomore451]

Again, YOU are the best

[@kdoornink]

Thank you. Very interesting.

[@mmaples4203]

thank you. very informative.

[@carmelrankin9362]

Very informative video. Thank you Doctor. You explain things very clearly.

[@mannyradzky493]

Thank you for a great vid. 👍👍👍

[@nalinisingh5653]

Thank you Dr for health tips well explained God bless you .

[@matricata1892]

💝 you are explanation is healthy food for my soul Most of the doctors are businessmen's these days But you you are the marvelous🤜🤛🎓🎩👑🏆

[@stevecropper1221]

Thanks for doing this video. I just got diagnosed at 680 BNP and was really upset buy now that I understand it I can deal with it better,

[@reggiepalmer6157]

Awesome video thank you

[@donaldgrier4815]

Excellent presentation

[@paulfasse8032]

Terrific explanation regarding BNP. Love you Dr. Gupta

[@showtimecharlie6734]

Very good !!!

[@HA-ln8ir]

Thank you Doctor for this Educational video 👍💯👍💯👍💯👍💯👍💯👍

[@prabhasinisahu2343]

Thanks brother ☺️

[@user-bd6el1ih6v]

That was very informative and helpful. I have had HF for 16 years and they suggested Entresto. Nobidy explained why. Now I understand. Thank you.

[@Sara.david1]

Very useful. Thanks

[@SuperExadidas]

Thank you very much.

[@omegalgo297]

Thank you Dr!!!!!

[@suzihazlove4979]

Omg you are a earth angel. I was stressing about having a stess test. I'm Too weak with my CFS, EDS, OR (LOL) DYSAUTONOMIA.

[@denisegott6425]

Thank you you are fantastic.

[@rossp8743]

Great doctor 👍🏻

[@andreawilliams4329]

Thank you for another informative video. My husband had an echo a few days ago and was found to have an enlarged left ventricle. The cardiologist was present during the test and said he was very surprised that my husband’s GP said his BNP was normal. You said in the video that this was not impossible so I am wondering how this can happen. I don’t know what the level was as I had never heard of BNP.

[@yasminm1385]

Thank you!

[@chengalvarayansivanesan6270]

Excellent information. 👌👌👌🙏🌹.

[@tomlocke9737]

Great info. Thanks Doc.

[@YorkCardiology]

Very welcome. i am grateful to you for watching the videos and it would mean a tonne if you'd consider subscribing to the channel:-)

[@tomlocke9737]

@@YorkCardiology I did once I completed the first video. I look forward to your future content as well as looking through your past ones. Best Regards

[@Josh-pe5pl]

You mentioned treatment for heart failure. Let's say my BNP BMP? and succeeding echo confirm potential for heart failure. Will the echo give enough info for my cardiologist to tell me what treatment I'll probably need? P.S. 1000 thx for taking the time & effort required to explain all these scary topics to us, thereby reducing our fears!

[@faryapirbazari]

Fantastic. Please talk about proBNP too. Thanks.

[@vijaynegi5930]

Very helpful.

[@HelenBeeee]

HiI was wondering if you could do a video on TakotSubo Cardiomyopathy i had this happen to me and the scariest thing about it was the lack of information and support for the people who have had an episode. There also seems to be differing opinions as to the lasting effects of an episode. I feel more awareness of this condition and information would help those of us who have gone through this. Thankyou so much your channel is really informative.

[@riteasrain]

HelenBeee He has a couple of videos on it. Search his channel.

[@ronaldwhite6476]

Thank you. I’m waiting for my bnp results any day now and in my mind I’m a dead man. This video has happened me a lot regardless of what my numbers turn out to be.

[@TheKentuckylady717]

Wonder if they do these test here in the USA ? I have not heard of them....and I know a few people who does have heart issues !!! Great video

[@jonathangriffin3860]

An outstanding report Dr, thank you so much as a patient who has been recently diagnosed with heart failure my EF is 31 - I find this information most helpful. Unfortunately my cardiologist did not inform me that I had had a heart failure for 6 weeks after my echocardiogram and he also told me that my wife’s recent passing away had nothing to do with my heart stress; I start with a new cardiologist next week. Many thanks for this BNP test information. Jonathan Griffin/ Dublin, Ireland

[@WendyMoule]

Sorry for your loss Jonathan

[@jonathangriffin3860]

Wendy M Thank you Wendy it’s been a grueling painful year- but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. I believe the dead wouldn’t want the living to suffer and the living wouldn’t want the dead to suffer. Jonathan

[@gloriamaryhaywood2217]

There is a condition called Broken Heart Syndrome. It is very real. Look It up. I know my sisters death from cancer this past Feb.had a lot to do with my own sudden health issues. And two months I developed Afib also. Had been feeling really pretty good until dealing with helplessly watching her die. I feel somewhat better these days, but it took its toll on me in many ways, (including anxiety and depression) and took time to start healing and recovering. Our physical bodies are very connected to our emotional state of being. Sorry for your loss and hope you are feeling better.

[@jonathangriffin3860]

Thank you Gloria May Life is filled with uncertainties we must embrace each day and The Sun is always shining even though sometimes we can’t see it for the clouds. I wish you well. Jonathan

[@xavierp4035]

I don't understand why some cardiologist don't inform a life threatening condition. I hope your new cardiologist treats you better

[@tamb6404]

Thank You!!!!!!!

[@Bhappy925]

This information has put my mind at ease. Idk how vertigo symptoms lead to this test at urgent care. I indeed only had vertigo. Although my bnp is 290, I have no HF symptoms. I do suffer from panic attacks and hypertension. I will have a echocardiogram though. Thanks you.

[@positivetimeline2023]

God bless you , doctor

[@desotopete]

Good explanation that was never really explained by my doctors. HCM. AFIB. ICD. I think my BNP was above 700.

[@merlvinc]

It helps to know what is happening to us. Thank you for sharing. --Bonnie Robinson

[@WendyMoule]

Your videos are always so clear and concise. I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and wondered how this test would work for me. Now i know.

[@sam12420]

Wendy M bro do you have normal pulse rate during afib episode?

[@WendyMoule]

@@sam12420 no goes fast for a bit then slow for a bit. Roughly 30 seconds to a minute but cycles from fast to slow. I get tachycardia before afib starts. Heavy lifting or lots of bending over set are triggers for tachycardia. Bisoprolol daily helps keep my heart rate slow and has improved my quality of life. Fingers crossed but I've only had one bad episode of 14 hours. Other times hour at most.

[@trooog6413]

Thanks great.

[@Rodriguez368]

Thank you very much I'm going. through. right now. I just found out a couple. of months ago. And I'm going to treat rents and and it's telling me a lot. about my problem. Appreciate it. Keep. it up.

[@QESPINCETI]

Thank You

[@apsilva2925]

Thanks.

[@davidsolomon5612]

I'm a heart patient. Undergone balloon angioplasty. But never heard of BMP. (In India) Very useful doc.Thanks.

[@Kittens_Cats_Karma]

Thanks for the straight forward and very clear explanation. Those giving you a thumb down might have been commenting on your shirt, but certainly not on the excellent content of this video.

[@sassysandie2865]

Kitten Mom I love his shirts!

[@Romans15.32]

He is a unique individual who wears unique shirts. 🙂 Many drs. Are tablet pushers not educators.

[@merlvinc]

Best explanation I have watched. My biggest fear is that I am afraid that I won't be told because I am anxious about my heart because my Dad died really young from heart problems! I t want to know so that my children will be aware of any problems early and might prevent it from occurring later in their lives. --Bonnie Robinson

[@YorkCardiology]

Thank you for your support Bonnie- it would mean a tonne if you’d consider subscribing to the channel. Also I try and do some regular broadcasts via WhatsApp on [phone]

[@kathyh857]

Excellent video. I had a high BNP when tested but I also have afib and kidney disease no one explained that this could be the possible cause of high BNP...I was so worried until I watched this video. Thank you!!

[@sarahpowell9391]

Thank you

[@JanieMartinSings]

Very helpful

[@touniekeopraseuth4364]

Thank you for your time and effort to make these important videos for us as layman to understand such information. You are such an amazing doctor.