Significant negative correlations were found between Ln NT-proBNP and fast εs (r = − 0.67, p < 0.001), εe (r = − 0.62, p < 0.001), εa (r = − 0.55, p < 0.001), SRs (r = − 0.64, p < 0.001), SRe (r = − 0.60, p < 0.001, absolute values were used for correlation analysis here) and SRa (r = − 0.57, p < 0.001, absolute values were used for correlation analysis here) (Fig. 5) in HF patients. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and hydrops fetalis.