Natriuretic hormones regulate salt and water balance in a human body. The main stimulus of their secretion is the rise of myocardium stress by increased pressure in the left ventricle. In cardio-vascular pathology natriuretic peptides reflect the heart contractile function and can thus be used to diagnose heart insufficiency before instrumental examination. For this purpose brain natruiretic peptides are recommended. High negative prognostic value of brain natruiretic peptides (>90%) in diagnosis of heart insufficiency is shown. First results of treatment selection under the control of BNP in chronic heart insufficiency have been encouraging, which could be the basis for large randomized prospective studies.