Health Information
Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test
Results
A brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test measures the amount of the BNP Reference hormone Opens New Window in the blood. BNP values tend to increase with age and are higher in women than men.
The normal values listed here—called a reference range—are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab.
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Normal |
0–99 picograms per milliliter (Reference pg/mL Opens New Window) or 0–99 nanograms per liter (Reference ng/L Opens New Window) |
The amount of a related substance, called N-terminal pro brain-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), may be measured instead of BNP. The results from the NT-proBNP test are different than those from the BNP test but provide similar information.
High values
A high value of BNP in the blood:
- Means an increased amount of fluid or high pressure inside the heart.
- May be used to help determine the severity of heart failure.
- May mean a higher chance of death in people with heart failure.
- May show early heart failure in people on kidney Reference dialysis Opens New Window.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference April 25, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference George Philippides, MD - Cardiology |
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