The association between high body mass index (BMI) and low serum BNP levels has been reported in heart failure patients with diminished or preserved left ventricular systolic function (1).
However, The exact mechanism underlying the inverse relationship of BNP levels with BMI is unclear. Decreased production of BNP by myocytes, increased clearance of BNP and decreased sensitivity of the myocytes to stretch have been proposed (1).
Of interest, in obese patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery, serum BNP levels increases significantly postoperatively and correlates with weight loss (2).
If you liked this post, sign up under MENU and catch future pearls right into your mailbox!
References
- Stavrakis S, Pakala A, Thomas J et al. Obesity, brain natriuretic peptide levels and mortality in patients hospitalized with heart failure and preserved left ventricular systolic function. Am J Med Sci 2013;345:211-217. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23422653
- Changchien EM, Shushmita A, Betti F, et al. B-type natriuretic peptide increases after gastric bypass surgery and correlates with weight loss. Surg Endosc 2011;25:2338-2343. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21424205
