In this study, we observed that increases in PDV occurred at an early stage after MI induction and the increase continued during the progression of cardiac dysfunction; daily body weight‐adjusted fluid consumption, in stable CHF animals, was similar to that in normal rats; the modulation of drinking behavior in CHF animals to include small PDVs and short drinking intervals significantly improved cardiac function, reduced plasma BNP, AVP, and norepinephrine levels, and improved long‐term survival. This evidence concerns the gene AVP and congestive heart failure.