Which biomarker is indicative of dyspnea in patients?

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an essential biomarker that helps indicate dyspnea, particularly when assessing the underlying causes related to heart dysfunction. Elevated levels of BNP are typically found in conditions such as heart failure, where fluid overload can lead to pulmonary congestion, ultimately presenting as dyspnea.

When a patient experiences shortness of breath, measuring BNP can provide critical insights into whether the issue is cardiogenic or of another origin. BNP levels rise in response to increased cardiac stress and volume overload, making it a reliable marker for identifying patients who may have heart failure as a contributing factor to their dyspnea.

Other biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), are primarily indicators of inflammatory processes rather than specifically tied to dyspnea. Troponin I is associated with myocardial injury, which can lead to dyspnea but is not exclusively indicative of it. Hemoglobin A1c, while useful for monitoring long-term glucose control in diabetic patients, does not correlate directly with dyspnea or respiratory distress. Thus, BNP stands out as the most pertinent biomarker in this context.