Reviewed by PeptideGuide Research TeamLast updated February 15, 2026

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Cardiovascular Peptides

Cardiovascular peptides represent a crucial class of bioactive molecules that play fundamental roles in maintaining heart health, regulating blood pressure, and managing fluid balance throughout the body. These naturally occurring compounds work through sophisticated mechanisms to protect the cardiovascular system from stress, injury, and disease progression. The natriuretic peptide family, including BNP, ANP, and CNP, serves as the body's primary defense against volume overload and hypertension by promoting sodium excretion, vasodilation, and diuresis. These peptides are released in response to cardiac stress and elevated blood pressure, acting as natural regulators of cardiovascular homeostasis. Beyond their physiological roles, cardiovascular peptides have emerged as powerful therapeutic agents for treating heart failure, hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions. Their ability to reduce cardiac workload, improve blood flow, and protect against further cardiac damage makes them invaluable in clinical medicine. Additionally, these peptides serve as important biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring cardiovascular diseases, with BNP and NT-proBNP being widely used in clinical practice to assess heart failure severity. The therapeutic potential of cardiovascular peptides continues to expand as researchers develop synthetic analogs and novel delivery methods to enhance their clinical efficacy and patient outcomes.

Category Overview

The cardiovascular peptide category features distinct yet complementary mechanisms of action. BNP and ANP share similar functions as cardiac-derived natriuretic peptides, with BNP being primarily released from ventricular tissue during volume overload, while ANP originates from atrial tissue in response to stretch. Both promote natriuresis, diuresis, and vasodilation, but BNP has a longer half-life and stronger prognostic value in heart failure. CNP differs by being produced in vascular endothelium and having more localized anti-proliferative effects on smooth muscle cells. Ularitide, a synthetic analog of urodilatin, offers enhanced stability and prolonged action compared to natural peptides. Nesiritide, a recombinant form of human BNP, provides controlled therapeutic dosing for acute heart failure management. Each peptide varies in potency, duration of action, and specific cardiovascular targets, with some excelling in acute treatment scenarios while others serve better as diagnostic markers or chronic therapy options.

How to Choose

Selecting the appropriate cardiovascular peptide depends on the specific clinical application and desired outcomes. For diagnostic purposes, BNP and NT-proBNP are preferred due to their strong correlation with heart failure severity and prognosis. In acute heart failure treatment, Nesiritide offers controlled therapeutic benefits with predictable dosing, while Ularitide may provide advantages in patients requiring sustained natriuretic effects. ANP is typically considered when atrial-specific signaling is desired, particularly in conditions involving atrial dysfunction. CNP becomes the choice when targeting vascular remodeling and endothelial function is the primary goal. Consider half-life requirements: shorter-acting peptides like ANP allow for rapid adjustment, while longer-acting options like BNP provide sustained effects. Patient-specific factors including kidney function, blood pressure status, and concurrent medications influence selection. For research applications, choose based on the specific pathway being investigated - cardiac remodeling (BNP), vascular function (CNP), or volume regulation (ANP). Always consider the balance between therapeutic efficacy and potential side effects, particularly hypotension and electrolyte disturbances, when making clinical decisions.

All Cardiovascular Peptides (7)

BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide)

Natriuretic Peptide

Approved for diagnostic use

B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is a crucial biomarker and therapeutic agent in the management of heart failure. Secreted by the heart's ventricles in response to stress and stretching, BNP facilitates vasodilation and promotes natriuresis and diuresis, effectively reducing blood volume and pressure. Clinically, it is primarily used for diagnosing and managing heart failure, providing immediate feedback on cardiac function through intravenous administration. Its rapid onset of action and well-tolerated safety profile make it an invaluable tool in both acute and chronic settings.

•Heart failure diagnosis

Nesiritide

Natriuretic peptide

Approved

Nesiritide is a recombinant form of human B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) used primarily in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure. It functions by binding to the guanylate cyclase receptor on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, leading to vasodilation and reduced cardiac preload and afterload. This results in improved cardiac output and symptom relief in heart failure patients. Administered intravenously, nesiritide acts rapidly, making it suitable for acute care settings.

•Acute decompensated heart failure

ANP (Atrial Natriuretic Peptide)

Natriuretic Peptide

Not Approved

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) is a cardiovascular peptide primarily used in acute settings to manage conditions such as hypertension and heart failure. By binding to natriuretic peptide receptors, ANP increases intracellular cGMP, leading to vasodilation and enhanced renal sodium excretion. This mechanism helps reduce blood pressure and manage fluid overload, making it a critical tool in acute cardiovascular care. Despite its potential, ANP remains investigational and is not FDA-approved, limiting its use to research settings.

•Hypertension

CNP (C-type Natriuretic Peptide)

Natriuretic peptide

Not Approved

C-type Natriuretic Peptide (CNP) is a member of the natriuretic peptide family, primarily involved in cardiovascular regulation. It exerts its effects by binding to specific natriuretic peptide receptors, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure through increased levels of cyclic GMP. While not approved by the FDA, CNP is under investigation for its potential benefits in treating heart failure and hypertension. Its rapid onset of action and short half-life make it suitable for acute settings.

•Heart failure

Ularitide

Natriuretic peptide

Not Approved

Ularitide is a synthetic natriuretic peptide that mimics the body's natural mechanisms for reducing cardiac workload and promoting sodium excretion. It is primarily used in the management of acute heart failure and hypertension, where it acts quickly to alleviate symptoms by causing vasodilation and promoting natriuresis. Despite its potential benefits, Ularitide remains an investigational drug and is not yet approved for widespread clinical use.

•Acute heart failure

Apelin-13

Apelin peptides

Not Approved

Apelin-13 is a potent peptide that primarily influences cardiovascular functions by binding to the APJ receptor. It is utilized in research settings to explore its potential benefits in treating heart failure and hypertension. Despite its promising mechanism of action, Apelin-13 remains unapproved for clinical use, highlighting the need for further investigation into its safety and efficacy.

•Heart failure

Apelin-36

Neuropeptide

Not Approved

Apelin-36 is a neuropeptide primarily involved in cardiovascular regulation. It exerts its effects by binding to the APJ receptor, leading to vasodilation and enhanced cardiac contractility. This peptide is being researched for its potential in managing heart failure and regulating blood pressure. Despite its promising applications, Apelin-36 remains a research chemical, with no formal approval for clinical use.

•Heart failure management