We are a member of the Fund Raising Standards Board

 

We are all volunteers and the expert advice we receive is also given freely, all donations are used to further the work we do.

Please Donate

 

Join Us

 

Provide Support

Buy At

 

Copyright © proventus 2010

 

Proventus

Outcome Result Success

 

 

Treat the Disease - Treat the Person

UK Charity No 1131517

Time Waits for Nobody

Working Together to Make a Difference

 

Working Together to Make a Difference

UK Charity No 1131517

We cannot direct the wind but you can adjust the sails!

Heart - Hormones

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

• A-type Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) - This hormone of 28 amino acids is released from stretched atria (hence the "A"). [1]
• 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).

 

Top of Page

 

 

 

Ref.

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

Translate this Page