Blood Test for Heart Failure

A new blood test may be able to correctly diagnose heart failure about 90 percent of the time in emergency room patients.

Researchers studied nearly 1,600 patients at seven hospitals in the Unites States, France and Norway. Using the Triage BNP Test, doctors say they were able to accurately diagnose congestive heart failure in nearly 83 percent of patients. When the test results were considered along with other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or swollen ankles, the number of correctly diagnosed cases rose to 90 percent and higher.

Typically, when patients present to the emergency room with shortness of breath, doctors must determine the cause before any treatment is prescribed. Many times, patients are forced to wait for hours before any test results come back. The BNP test can determine within 15 minutes if a patient has heart failure. This is extremely novel and exciting. There has never been a blood test for congestive heart failure before.

In the study, researchers were able to rule out heart failure in nearly 100 percent of cases where the symptoms had another cause, and were able to diagnose and treat the real cause of the symptoms.

Researchers were able to lower critical care admissions to hospitals by 40 percent and lowered overall hospital admissions by 20 percent over nine months. This test helps save lives and time.

The Triage BNP test works by identifying raised levels of a hormone called B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). The heart ventricles release BNP when pressure rises, a signal of heart failure.

 Treat your heart to something it will absolutely love.

The USANA Heart Smart Pack—The best vitamins supplements for heart health!

• Proflavanol® C100—Oxidative stress plays a role in damaging cells that, over time, can negatively impact cardiovascular function. Vitamin C has been shown to provide excellent antioxidant defense, making it a key nutrient in the fight to maintain heart health. In addition, grape-seed extract can be very helpful in maintaining heart health and protecting plasma LDL from oxidation.
• BiOmega™—EPA+DHA supplementation ranging from 0.5 to 1.8 g per day (either as fatty fish or supplements) is recommended by many experts for protecting healthy heart function.* One of the safest ways to get your EPA+DHA is a highly purified fish oil supplement.
• CoQuinone® 30—An optimal combination of coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid vital for cellular energy in the heart, plus sound muscle and nerve function.*

Along with the USANA Heart Smart Pack, you also have a chance get grab some OptOmega®, the vegetarian source of essential fatty acids. It is available in the US while supplies last—Item #127.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.