Types and what to expect

A blood test can tell if a person has heart failure and help determine the cause. It can also check the function of other body organs. Different blood tests look for different things.

Blood tests to evaluate the heart measure certain blood proteins, hormones and electrolyte levels. These markers can tell if the heart is working properly.

Doctors use the results of these blood tests to determine the best treatment. Comparing the results of several tests also helps doctors monitor the effects of treatment.

In people with suspected heart failure, doctors may order the following blood tests:

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

A BMP is a comprehensive set of tests that can provide information about a person’s overall health. He checks kidney function and measures levels of glucoseelectrolytes, calciumand other chemicals naturally present in the blood. Learn more about a BMP test.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)

A BNP test is a valuable tool for diagnosing heart failure. It measures the amount of BNP in the blood, indicating the proper functioning of the heart. If a test reveals a increase in BNP, this may be a warning sign of heart failure, and doctors will want to investigate further. Learn more about a BNP test.

Troponin

The body released troponin protein when the heart muscle is damaged. Troponin levels are an important indicator of heart health. The test helps identify people at risk of developing heart disease and provides a warning sign of impending cardiac events.

A healthcare professional usually performs blood tests in a doctor’s office. This person is often a phlebotomist.

Blood sample typically involves the following steps:

• The professional cleans an area of ​​the arm with an antiseptic.
• They place a turnstile around the person’s arm to ensure blood flow to the chosen vein, thus facilitating access.
• They insert a needle into the vein and draw a small amount of blood through one or more tubes.
• After removing the needle, they apply pressure to the area before placing a small bandage over the site.

The process usually takes a few minutes. It can sometimes take longer if the healthcare professional cannot easily find a vein. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as when a person is dehydrated.

Does it hurt?

Usually people feel a small sharp puncture when the needle goes into the skin, but it shouldn’t cause much pain. A person who fear the needles may wish to inform the healthcare professional, who may offer to numb the area before performing the test.

People may develop a small bruise over the needle insertion area, but this should resolve over the next few days.

Learn more about blood tests.

Blood test results can be ready on the same day or take several days or weeks.

Normal ranges may vary depending on age, gender and health status.

In a healthy person, BNP levels are usually less than 100 picograms per milliliter (pg/ml). If a person has a high BNP, doctors usually order more tests to investigate further. BNP levels tend to increase with age and are generally higher in women than in men.

Lab results typically show measurements of substances in a person’s blood alongside normal ranges for those substances. If a person’s measurements fall outside the normal range, a doctor will likely order more tests to help with the diagnosis.

Learn more about heart failure.

Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart cannot effectively pump blood throughout the body.

Doctors use several blood tests to assess heart function, including BNP and BMP. Blood collection is quick and results are often available within days.

Abnormal blood test results can indicate pressure on the heart or other organs, such as the kidneys and liver. Doctors usually order additional tests to help with the diagnosis.

Early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure is essential to reduce the risk of long-term complications.