Brain Natriuretic peptide is also known as ventricular natriuretic peptide or B-type natriuretic peptide. Brain natriuretic peptide is a polypeptide with 32 amino acids which is secreted by the heart ventricles. This brain natriuretic peptide is secreted in response to excessive stretching of muscle cells or the cardiomyocytes of heart. Calcium ions modulate the release of brain natriuretic peptide. The name brain natriuretic protein comes from where it was first identified from the porcine brain extracts whereas in humans the cardiac ventricles are known to produce them. Brain natriuretic peptide is secreted with 76 amino acid N terminal which is biologically inactive.

Brain Natriuretic peptide has physiological actions which are same to atrial natriuretic peptide which includes to decrease the pressure in central nervous system and systemic vascular resistance by increasing natriuresis. Thus, the peptides decrease the blood pressure as the systemic vascular resistance decreases. The normal levels of brain natriuretic peptides indicates no acute heart failure during emergencies. Brain natriuretic peptide can be used in screening of patients for heart failure. For the patients who display left ventricular dysfunction, the levels of both BNP and ANP increase. Brain natriuretic peptide also are present in elevated levels during renal failure. The levels of brain natriuretic peptide increases along with age and women have higher levels in comparison to men. Increased levels of Brain natriuretic peptide usually indicates high pressure in heart and can help in determination of heart failure and its severity. It indicates chances of heart failure and also helps in tracking the improvements after providing medical interventions. An immunoassay can measure Brain natriuretic peptide with sensitivities varying upon the levels of peptide present. It is also a very reliable predictor of any cardiovascular mortality in patients with diabetes, usually BNP levels more than 100pg/ml, indicates a heart failure in the patient.