The major findings of our study are that early evolving experimental HF produced by rapid ventricular pacing results in mild tubular injury in the kidney cortex, and widespread gene pathway activation, not only of the NP system in the atrium, but also inflammation, renal injury, apoptosis and fibrosis pathways with activation of renin, CNP, and NPR‐C in the kidney. The gene discussed is CNP; the disease is hydrops fetalis.