NT-proBNP blood test
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide
In short
A typical adult NT-proBNP result is under 125 pg/mL (under age 75) and under 450 pg/mL (age 75+). A raised NT-proBNP can be a sign the heart is under strain. Your age and kidney function matter a lot when reading it. Always read your result against the range printed on your own report.
A marker the heart releases along with BNP when strained.
The heart releases NT-proBNP together with BNP when it is stretched or strained. It lasts longer in the blood than BNP, which makes it a steady test for heart failure. It rises with age, and the kidneys clear it, so kidney function affects it too.
Is my NT-proBNP high or low?
Type your result to see where it sits.
Nothing you type leaves this device.
Typical range
| For | Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Adults · under age 75 | under 125 | pg/mL |
| Adults · age 75+ | under 450 | pg/mL |
Typical ranges for adults. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.
If your NT-proBNP is high
A raised NT-proBNP can be a sign the heart is under strain. Your age and kidney function matter a lot when reading it.
Common reasons
- Older age, since NT-proBNP rises naturally over the years
- Reduced kidney function, which clears NT-proBNP more slowly
- An irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation)
- High blood pressure or a heart valve problem that strains the heart
- Lung conditions that strain the right side of the heart
- Heart failure, when the heart pumps or fills less well than it should
- Less often: a blood clot in the lungs or a recent heart attack
What can throw it off
Kidney disease raises NT-proBNP, while extra body weight tends to lower it.
Questions to take to your appointment
- 1Is my level high for my age and kidney function?
- 2Do I need a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram)?
- 3Should it be repeated to see if it changes?
Read together with
Doctors rarely read NT-proBNP alone. These usually sit next to it.
- eGFRAn estimate of how much blood your kidneys filter each minute.
- CreatinineA waste product from muscles that the kidneys clear.
- SodiumA mineral salt (electrolyte) that keeps the body's water in balance.
- HemoglobinThe protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- TSHA brain hormone that tells the thyroid how hard to work.
Quick answers
What is the NT-proBNP blood test?
NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide): A marker the heart releases along with BNP when strained. The heart releases NT-proBNP together with BNP when it is stretched or strained. It lasts longer in the blood than BNP, which makes it a steady test for heart failure. It rises with age, and the kidneys clear it, so kidney function affects it too.
What is a normal NT-proBNP level?
For most adults, NT-proBNP is typically under 125 pg/mL (under age 75) and under 450 pg/mL (age 75+). Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.
What does a high NT-proBNP mean?
A raised NT-proBNP can be a sign the heart is under strain. Your age and kidney function matter a lot when reading it. Common reasons include older age, since NT-proBNP rises naturally over the years; reduced kidney function, which clears NT-proBNP more slowly; an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation); and high blood pressure or a heart valve problem that strains the heart. A doctor reads it together with your other results and how you feel.
What can affect my NT-proBNP result?
Kidney disease raises NT-proBNP, while extra body weight tends to lower it.
What should I ask my doctor about my NT-proBNP?
Questions worth taking to the appointment: Is my level high for my age and kidney function? Do I need a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram)? Should it be repeated to see if it changes?
What this page can’t do
It reads each number on its own.
Doctors read results together — ALT with AST, ferritin with hemoglobin, TSH with free T4. A pattern says more than any single flag.
It doesn't know you.
Your age, your medicines, how you feel and your last result all change what a number means.
It doesn't remember.
Close this page and your results are gone. That's on purpose: nothing was ever sent to us.
We also make Vita: Health Coach, an app for those parts. It reads your whole report with your medicines and history in mind, answers follow-up questions in plain words, and keeps your reports in one place — for you and for the people you look after.
Vita: Health Coach on the App StoreSources
- Cleveland Clinic — B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) test
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories — NT-Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide, Serum
- ABIM — Laboratory Test Reference Ranges (January 2026)
Stuck on a word? See the medical words. How we choose our sources. More about Vita Health Coach.