Heart failure is a major cause of illness and death. About 50,000 Canadians are diagnosed with heart failure each year, and an estimated 600,000 Canadians are living with heart failure. It is important that heart failure be diagnosed early and treated appropriately.

There is no single diagnostic test for heart failure, and diagnosis can be challenging since the symptoms of heart failure can be caused by other conditions. The levels of certain hormones – B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal proBNP – in the blood may indicate that a person is experiencing heart failure. Test kits have been developed that can measure the levels of these hormones and possibly help health care practitioners make the diagnosis of heart failure.

This health technology assessment looked at the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these test kits. It also looked at the budget impact of publicly funding these tests for adults who might have heart failure. And it looked at the experiences, preferences, and values of people with suspected heart failure.