“Overweight and obese patients with acute CHF have lower circulating NT-proBNP and BNP levels, suggesting a BMI-related defect in natriuretic peptide secretion. NT-proBNP fell below the diagnostic cutoff for CHF less often than BNP in overweight and obese individuals; however, when used as a diagnostic tool to identify CHF in such patients, both markers may have reduced sensitivity.”
” Recent data suggest an inverse relationship between BNP and NT-proBNP levels and body mass index.” Int Journ Card.
Reference / Further Reading
Am Heart J. 2005 Apr;149(4):744-50. Effect of body mass index on natriuretic peptide levels in patients with acute congestive heart failure: a ProBNP Investigation of Dyspnea in the Emergency Department (PRIDE) substudy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15990762
Madamanchi C, Alhosaini H, Sumida A, Runge MS. Obesity and Natriuretic Peptides, BNP and NT-proBNP: Mechanisms and Diagnostic Implications for Heart Failure. International journal of cardiology. 2014;176(3):611-617.