Compared with patients in the lowest BNP group (0‐249 pg/ml), all higher BNP groups were older and had higher prevalence of comorbidities, such as, renal failure, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, pulmonary circulation disorders, deficiency anemia, fluid and electrolyte disorder, valvular disease and weight loss, whereas obesity, drug, and alcohol abuse were less prevalent. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and deficiency anemia.