A 79-year-old diabetic and retired homemaker lives alone since the death of her husband 5 years ago. At age 75, she was diagnosed with an AMI and had another AMI last year. In the past 6 weeks, she has been weak and often lacks energy. For the past 2 days, her symptoms have worsened and she is short of breath upon any exertion. Her daughter brings her to see the cardiologist who orders a BNP to evaluate her cardiac disease.
BNP 520 pg/mL (Reference value = <100 pg/mL)
What does this BNP result indicate when considered together with the patient's clinical symptoms?
Please select the single best answer