Q. The doctor treating my heart failure orders a BNP test at every appointment. What is it for?
A
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are protein biomarkers released by heart muscle cells in response to cardiac wall stress and stretch. Levels of these biomarkers rise along with increasing heart filling pressure and volume, indicating worsening heart failure.
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