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Cardiac Peptides

Meaning

Cardiac peptides are a family of natriuretic hormones primarily synthesized and released by the heart muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, in response to volume overload and increased wall stress. These molecules, notably Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) and Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), function as counter-regulatory hormones to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. They exert critical influence on fluid balance, blood pressure regulation, and cardiovascular homeostasis, directly linking heart function to systemic endocrine control.