Blood Tests for Heart Failure

Introduction

Heart failure (HF) is a condition where the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to meet the body's needs. Several blood tests help in diagnosing and monitoring HF, providing vital information about heart function, kidney function, and overall health.

Key Blood Tests for Heart Failure

1. Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP

• These are crucial markers for diagnosing heart failure.
• Elevated levels indicate heart strain and fluid overload.
• NT-proBNP levels are age-dependent and more stable compared to BNP.

2. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• Detects anemia, which can worsen HF symptoms.
• Identifies infection or inflammation that might stress the heart.

3. Kidney Function Tests (Creatinine, BUN, eGFR)

• HF can reduce kidney function due to decreased blood supply.
• Monitoring creatinine and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is essential.

4. Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride)

• HF and certain medications (such as diuretics) can disrupt electrolyte balance.
• Low sodium (hyponatremia) is often a bad prognostic sign in HF.

5. Liver Function Tests (AST, ALT, Bilirubin, Albumin)

• Congestive HF can lead to liver congestion, affecting liver enzymes.

6. Thyroid Function Tests (TSH, Free T4)

• Thyroid dysfunction can contribute to or mimic HF.

7. Lipid Profile and Glucose Tests

• High cholesterol and diabetes are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and HF.

8. Troponins (Cardiac Biomarkers)

• Helps differentiate between HF and an acute heart attack.
• A slight elevation can be seen in severe HF.

Conclusion

Blood tests are essential tools for diagnosing and managing heart failure. They provide insights into heart function, complications, and the effects of treatment. If you have HF symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, or fatigue, consult your doctor for appropriate testing.

When to See a Doctor?

• If you experience persistent swelling, fatigue, or difficulty breathing.
• If you have known heart disease and notice worsening symptoms.
• If test results show abnormal kidney, liver, or electrolyte levels, further evaluation is needed.

Source recommendations

1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure

1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
2. https://www.acc.org/Guidelines
3. https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.024
4. https://www.acc.org/education-and-meetings/products-and-resources/features/global-cv-institute/heart-failure-guidelines
5. https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/-/media/832EA0F4E73948848612F228F7FA2D35.ashx

2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure

1. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/
3. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Focused-Update-on-Heart-Failure-Guidelines
4. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27206819/