Procedure
During a BNP test, your doctor uses a hypodermic needle to take a small amount of blood from a vein in your body. This process is clinically referred to as venipuncture. Your BNP level will then be evaluated using a machine. Other hormones like N-terminal-pro BNP (NT-pro-BNP) can also be measured with the machine.
You can get the results of your tests after 15 to 20 minutes. In some cases, your blood sample will be taken to a lab for further analysis. In this case, your results may not be available until after a week.
Your results will help your doctor determine if you are at a risk of developing heart failure. In cases where you’ve already been diagnosed with heart failure, your doctor may use the test to know if treatments are effective.