Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a progressive multisystem disease that involves neurohormonal activation, dysfunction of cardiac and skeletal musculature, and a host of other pathological changes. The neurohormonal activation in HF triggers the release of the natriuretic peptides. One peptide of particular interest is brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). It is primarily released by the ventricles of the heart and has adaptive function in counteracting the effects of neurohormonal activation in patients with HF. The focus of this article is the discussion of the physiology of BNP as well as its role in systolic HF, although it also plays a role in diastolic HF.