Last Updated on January 16, 2025 by Analgesia team
BNP Medical Abbreviation
BNP stands for brain natriuretic peptide, a protein in the blood that helps diagnose heart failure:
- What it is
BNP is a hormone produced by the heart and blood vessels that helps regulate blood circulation. When the heart has to work harder to pump blood, it releases BNP into the bloodstream.
- What it does
BNP signals blood vessels to open wider and the kidneys to remove salt and water through urine. This reduces the amount of blood the heart has to pump and lowers blood pressure.
- How it’s used
A BNP blood test measures BNP levels to help diagnose heart failure. The test is accurate about 90% of the time. It can also help determine the severity of heart failure and how well treatment is working.
- How BNP is performed
A BNP test is often done in a hospital or emergency room using a blood sample from a vein or a fingerstick. Results are available in about 15 minutes.