 Measuring Brain natriuretic peptide BNP and N-terminal proBNP NT-proBNPand can give us useful information about a persons heart function in patients with symptoms such as shortness of breath. This is because BNPNT-proBNP levels rise when the heart is under pressure as it is in people with heart disease. However, we dont know if this is a useful test to do in people who are at a high risk of developing heart disease but who have no symptoms and have not been diagnosed with any heart problems. 