B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Heart failure is the progressive inability of the heart ventricles to pump blood out to the lungs and/or the extremities. BNP is synthesised and released into the blood in response to volume overload or conditions that cause ventricular stretch to control fluid and electrolyte homeostasis by interaction with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Numerous studies have indicated that BNP can be used for patient diagnosis, prognosis and therapy monitoring. Levels have been shown to be elevated in patients with cardiac dysfunction.
Diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of established heart failure as a function of decreasing physiological functional capacity (compared with left ventricular ejection fraction, exercise-based assessment, etc.) BNP has utility in the stratification of patients with heart failure and acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Elevated levels of BNP in heart failure patients predict disease progression and increased morbidity and mortality.
“Studies also suggest ACS patients with increased BNP levels have a higher rate of cardiac complications and higher mortality post myocardial infarction"
| Male | >74 years | 0-150 ng/L |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 65-74 years | 0-150 ng/L |
| Male | 55-64 years | 0-80 ng/L |
| Male | <54 years | 0-73 ng/L |
| Female | >74 years | 0-266 ng/L |
| Female | 65-74 years | 0-159 ng/L |
| Female | 55-64 years | 0-155 ng/L |
| Female | 45-54 years | 0-111 ng/L |
| Female | <45 years | 0-89 ng/L |
Please note that BNP cannot be requested as an add-on test and should be analysed within 6 hours of sample collection.
Record last updated
August 14, 2025
Sample Container
4ml EDTA Vacutainers (Lavender top)
Search test database
Test Results
Yes, we have a Pathology User Guide
Yes. Please email your request to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net
Results are communicated to clinical staff and are normally not communicated direct to patients either on telephone requests or in written report. If you need to contact us please click here to view the contact details page
Please contact the Customer Service Team Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 6:00pm on 0203 313 5353. Alternatively, see the Pathology User Guide for how to contact the relevant department. If advice is not urgent you can also email your query to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net
Additional tests may be added by discussion with the relevant laboratory. The time limit for adding additional tests to a sample already received in the laboratory will depend on the type of sample and the department it was sent to.
Information on the repertoire of tests performed by pathology, including reference ranges, turnaround times and specimen requirements, can be found in the test directory.
Phlebotomy services are not managed by NWLP. For further information please see:
Imperial College Healthcare Trust Phlebotomy services
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Phlebotomy services
NWLP operates UKAS accredited medical laboratories as per the references below. The current scope of accreditation for all NWLP’s laboratories can be found on the UKAS website.
See the following UKAS ref numbers:
- Clinical Biochemistry Ref: 8673
- Haematology and Blood Transfusion Ref: 8674
- Infection & Immunity Sciences (Including Immunology, Virology, Microbiology and Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics ) Ref: 8659
- Cellular Pathology (Including Histopathology, Cytology and Molecular Pathology) Ref: 9615
If you require copies of our certificate of accreditation and associated documentation please contact Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net.
UKAS requires the laboratories to be accredited for a particular repertoire/scope (ISO15189), any changes or additions to repertoire require assessment by UKAS (extension to scope).
The BD Hospital Tube Guide, BD GP Tube Guide and BD Paediatric Tube Guide provide visual references to the correct tube types and collection instructions.
Home testing
INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION
We also have two instruction videos available (one with subtitles and one without) – please click on the links to view the videos on Google.
Our accreditations
Upholding excellence in diagnostic standards
Our laboratories are accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) against the international standard ISO15189:2022. UKAS is the accreditation body for the UK that assesses medical laboratories.
Find out more about our accreditations on the UKAS website.
UKAS website