Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test: Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) test is used to:
- Check for heart failure. A doctor may think you have heart failure if you are having problems such as difficulty breathing and swelling (edema) in the arms or legs.
- Find out how severe heart failure is.
- Check the response of treatment for heart failure.
| Last updated: | June 19, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, George Philippides, MD - Cardiology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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