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Heart                                                                                                                                                                                                            

In response to a rise in blood pressure, the heart releases two peptides:

1. A-type Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) - This hormone of 28 amino acids is released from stretched atria (hence the "A"). [1]
2. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) - This hormone (29 amino acids) is released from the ventricles. (It was first discovered in brain tissue; hence the "B".)

Both hormones lower blood pressure by:

• Relaxing arterioles
• Inhibiting the secretion of renin and aldosterone
• Inhibiting the re-absorption of sodium ions by the kidneys.

The latter two effects reduce the re-absorption of water by the kidneys, therefore the volume of urine increases as does the amount of sodium excreted in it. The net effect of these actions is to reduce blood pressure by reducing the volume of blood in the circulatory system.

These effects give ANP and BNP their name (natrium = sodium; uresis = urinate).

1. Widmaier, Eric P.; Hershel Raff, Kevin T. Strang (2008). Vander's Human Physiology, 11th Ed.. McGraw-Hill. pp. 291, 509–10

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