As Australia’s population ages, congestive heart failure (CHF) is becoming an increasingly prevalent condition, particularly among elderly patients, with an estimated 1.5-2% of the population affected. The diagnosis of mild or early CHF has traditionally been difficult due to non-specific symptoms that often overlap with other conditions.
NT-proBNP testing offers a more accessible alternative to chest X-rays and echocardiograms.
NT-proBNP is released by the heart in response to increased wall stress due to volume overload, a hallmark of heart failure. Very elevated levels of these markers strongly suggest the presence of heart failure, whereas low levels rule outCHF as a cause of the patient’s symptoms.