# BNP and NT-proBNP blood tests

Biomarker · id `cardio:natriuretic-peptides` · Cardiovascular Atlas · release `f6f6f1b6f50379ed` (public)

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Also called: Natriuretic peptide tests; BNP test; NT-proBNP test

Browse, organ or system: Heart  
Browse, condition area: Heart failure  

## In plain language

Blood tests that measure proteins the heart makes in larger amounts when it has to work harder. MedlinePlus says they are mainly used to help confirm or rule out heart failure in people who have symptoms. A normal result usually means heart failure is unlikely, and a higher result means the person could have it and that other tests will probably follow. Other conditions, such as kidney failure, can raise the levels, and obesity can lower them.

## Technical summary

Two related measures: brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The MedlinePlus test page gives no cut-off values, so none are stated here. A US government diagnosis page also names BNP among blood tests that a provider may order. In STRONG-HF, NT-proBNP concentrations were used to monitor patients during rapid up-titration (see the idea page). The MeSH heading Natriuretic Peptide, Brain (D020097) is a broad match.

## Claims, with the population each applies to

## Context: People with symptoms that could mean heart failure, or already diagnosed with it (MedlinePlus test page)

Recipient: Recipient not specified; Population: People who have symptoms that could mean heart failure, such as shortness of breath, swelling in the abdomen, feet, legs or neck veins, fatigue or weakness, coughing, inability to sleep lying flat, a need to urinate a lot at night, or loss of appetite and nausea. The page also describes uses in people already diagnosed with heart failure and, in certain cases, in people who have had a heart attack or have unstable angina.; Care setting: Outpatient or hospital blood test (venous blood; a fingerstick may be used in hospital).; Geography: Not stated. MedlinePlus is a US government site but the page does not name a country.; Life stage: Not stated. The page does not restrict the test by age, and says that what a level means depends on age and sex.; Gestational age: Not reported; Postnatal age: Not reported; Follow-up: Not applicable (a description of a test).

### MedlinePlus says that natriuretic peptide tests (BNP and NT-proBNP) measure proteins the heart and blood vessels make, and are mainly used to help confirm or rule out heart failure in people who have symptoms. It says normal results usually mean a person is unlikely to have heart failure, that higher than normal levels mean a person could have heart failure, and that the provider will probably order other heart health tests to make a final diagnosis. It adds that a result alone cannot diagnose the cause of symptoms, that other conditions such as kidney failure can also raise levels, and that obesity can make levels lower than they really are.

- Category: Description
- Evidence stage: Evidence stage unknown
- Certainty: Certainty not assessed
- Applies to: Recipient: Recipient not specified; Population: People who have symptoms that could mean heart failure, such as shortness of breath, swelling in the abdomen, feet, legs or neck veins, fatigue or weakness, coughing, inability to sleep lying flat, a need to urinate a lot at night, or loss of appetite and nausea. The page also describes uses in people already diagnosed with heart failure and, in certain cases, in people who have had a heart attack or have unstable angina.; Care setting: Outpatient or hospital blood test (venous blood; a fingerstick may be used in hospital).; Geography: Not stated. MedlinePlus is a US government site but the page does not name a country.; Life stage: Not stated. The page does not restrict the test by age, and says that what a level means depends on age and sex.; Gestational age: Not reported; Postnatal age: Not reported; Follow-up: Not applicable (a description of a test).
- Limitations: General patient information from a government health page, not a diagnostic rule. The page gives no cut-off values, no sensitivity or specificity, and no study data, and says that what a result means depends on age, sex and other test results. This claim is descriptive and not a finding from a trial.
- Last checked: 2026-10-14
- Sources:
  1. Supports: MedlinePlus medical test: Natriuretic Peptide Tests (BNP, NT-proBNP) (Webpage, edition MedlinePlus medical test page fetched 2026-10-14.) <https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/natriuretic-peptide-tests-bnp-nt-probnp/>
     Locator: MedlinePlus Medical Test page, What are they used for. Retrieved 2026-10-14T18:20:45Z. Source state: Current. Snapshot hash: addf6c4bf5e91dec643a4922f818b4d64a68194ed46e1762d747f3d93ee2224a.
     How it applies: The main use: to help confirm or rule out heart failure in people with symptoms.
  2. Supports: MedlinePlus medical test: Natriuretic Peptide Tests (BNP, NT-proBNP) (Webpage, edition MedlinePlus medical test page fetched 2026-10-14.) <https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/natriuretic-peptide-tests-bnp-nt-probnp/>
     Locator: MedlinePlus Medical Test page, What do the results mean. Retrieved 2026-10-14T18:20:45Z. Source state: Current. Snapshot hash: addf6c4bf5e91dec643a4922f818b4d64a68194ed46e1762d747f3d93ee2224a.
     How it applies: How normal and higher-than-normal results are read.
  3. Supports: MedlinePlus medical test: Natriuretic Peptide Tests (BNP, NT-proBNP) (Webpage, edition MedlinePlus medical test page fetched 2026-10-14.) <https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/natriuretic-peptide-tests-bnp-nt-probnp/>
     Locator: MedlinePlus Medical Test page, What do the results mean, other causes. Retrieved 2026-10-14T18:20:45Z. Source state: Current. Snapshot hash: addf6c4bf5e91dec643a4922f818b4d64a68194ed46e1762d747f3d93ee2224a.
     How it applies: Other conditions that raise levels, and obesity that lowers them.
  4. Background: MedlinePlus medical test: Natriuretic Peptide Tests (BNP, NT-proBNP) (Webpage, edition MedlinePlus medical test page fetched 2026-10-14.) <https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/natriuretic-peptide-tests-bnp-nt-probnp/>
     Locator: MedlinePlus Medical Test page, What are natriuretic peptide tests, paragraph 3. Retrieved 2026-10-14T18:20:45Z. Source state: Current. Snapshot hash: addf6c4bf5e91dec643a4922f818b4d64a68194ed46e1762d747f3d93ee2224a.
     How it applies: Where BNP comes from: the heart releases it when it works harder than normal.

## Connected pages

- Used to help confirm or rule out heart failure in people with symptoms (MedlinePlus): Heart failure (`cardio:heart-failure`) [a claim, not a settled fact; see claim `cardio:claim-bnp-heart-failure-testing` and its context]
- Related to: MedlinePlus (`core:medlineplus`)

## Provenance

Content hash: 9aa5b1a03d43f9b0d2c27b689441bfbd051b19cf5732007581eebf1f7681d975
Last substantive edit: 2026-10-15
Evidence last checked: 2026-10-14