Which hormone's levels can reflect the severity of congestive heart failure (CHF)?

B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone that plays a critical role in the diagnosis and management of congestive heart failure (CHF). It is released by the heart's ventricles in response to excessive stretching due to increased pressure that occurs during heart failure. Elevated levels of BNP in the blood are indicative of heart strain and can reflect the severity of heart failure, helping healthcare professionals assess the condition and guide treatment strategies.

The measurement of BNP is valuable because it correlates well with the heart's pumping function and can help distinguish between heart failure and other causes of dyspnea. In clinical practice, higher BNP levels suggest more severe heart failure, making it a reliable biomarker for evaluating the status of patients with this condition.

This specificity and reliability make BNP a cornerstone in the diagnostic tools available for managing heart failure, differentiating it from other hormones or biomarkers that do not directly relate to cardiac function or heart failure severity.