Lab test · Cardiology
NT-proBNP
Heart failure check
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Heart failure check
NT-proBNP is a fragment released into the blood together with the hormone BNP when the heart muscle is stretched or strained. It stays in the blood longer than BNP, which makes it a stable marker of heart strain. Doctors use it to help diagnose or rule out heart failure in people with breathlessness and to follow people who already have heart failure.
Why a doctor may order it
- To look into breathlessness, especially on exertion or when lying flat, or swollen legs
- To help rule out heart failure when the level is low
- To help decide who needs a heart scan (echocardiogram) and how soon
- To follow people who already have heart failure
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast. Sit and rest before the collector takes the sample, and keep taking all your heart and blood pressure medicines as usual unless your doctor advises otherwise.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- A trained collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm at home, which helps if walking or travelling makes you breathless. If you develop severe breathlessness, chest pain or fainting, seek emergency medical help straight away.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A low result makes heart failure unlikely. A higher result suggests strain on the heart and makes heart failure more likely, and the level at which doctors become concerned depends on age, because NT-proBNP rises as people get older. Kidney disease, an irregular heartbeat and blood clots in the lungs can also raise it, while obesity can lower it. Your doctor will interpret the result together with your symptoms and a heart scan.
What's included
One test: NT-proBNP, from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Serum ElectrolytesThis test measures sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate in your blood.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- HDL CholesterolGood cholesterol level৳170
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)Bad cholesterol particles, heart risk৳2,070
Questions people ask
Is NT-proBNP the same as BNP?
No, but they are closely related. Both are released when the heart is strained. NT-proBNP lasts longer in the blood and gives higher numbers, so the two results cannot be compared directly.
Why does age matter for NT-proBNP?
NT-proBNP naturally rises with age, so laboratories and doctors use age-related cut-offs when deciding whether a result suggests heart failure.
Does kidney disease affect NT-proBNP?
Yes. The kidneys help clear NT-proBNP, so levels can be higher in people with kidney disease even without heart failure. Your doctor will take this into account.
Can NT-proBNP be used to check treatment?
Yes. In people with heart failure, doctors may repeat the test to see whether the strain on the heart is easing with treatment.
How much does a NT-proBNP test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳1,700, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the NT-proBNP test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the NT-proBNP report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.