Blood test can show heart risk in patients

A simple blood test can accurately predict a heart patient's risk of serious illness or death, researchers have found. The test, for a protein called NT-proBNP, indicates when the heart is under stress.

A study of 987 men and women with stable coronary heart disease shows those with higher levels of the protein were more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or heart failure, and were at greater risk of dying.

Dr Mary Whooley, from the University of California, who took part in the research, says: "After adjusting for all other risk factors, it's clear this marker is picking up something we are otherwise unable to detect with standard tests."

The protein is a marker in the blood for BNP, a hormone produced in greater amounts when the heart is stretched or stressed.

"When the heart wall is over-expanded by too much blood volume, or damaged by lack of bloodflow to the heart itself, BNP goes up and NT-proBNP along with it," said Dr Whooley.

Patients in the study were divided into four groups according to their test readings, and followed for an average of 3.7 years each.

Of the total, 26 died or had a cardiovascular event during the course of the study. At each level of higher NT-proBNP there was a corresponding greater risk of having a cardiovascular event.