What disease does an elevated BNP level indicate?
BNP levels go up when the heart cannot pump the way it should. A result greater than 100 pg/mL is abnormal. The higher the number, the more likely heart failure is present and the more severe it is.
What does an abnormal BNP mean?
High levels mean that your doctor may make a diagnosis of heart failure. Also, levels are higher when heart failure is worse, and they go down when the heart is stable. If you have high BNP but the doctor rules out heart failure, the levels may point to other conditions such as: Kidney failure or dialysis use.
What causes abnormal BNP?
Increases in BNP levels may be caused by intrinsic cardiac dysfunction or may be secondary to other causes such as pulmonary or renal diseases (e.g., chronic hypoxia). BNP tests are correlated with other measures of cardiac status such as New York Heart Association classification.
What are the physiological effects of BNP?
The major physiological effects of ANP and BNP are vasodilation, natriuresis, and inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) and the sympathetic nervous systems; all of which are supposed to suppress the progression of heart failure.
What triggers atrial natriuretic peptide?
Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are peptide hormones that are synthesized by the heart, brain and other organs. The release of these peptides by the heart is stimulated by atrial and ventricular distension, as well as by neurohumoral stimuli, usually in response to heart failure.
How does BNP affect blood pressure?
36 We speculate that increased plasma BNP levels are a marker of elevated ventricular wall stress and/or of increased vascular stiffness that may antedate or be closely related to subsequent blood pressure increase.
What cardiovascular problem can occur as a result of atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.