Objective Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is classified into physiologic and pathological types; it can be induced under chronic stress and is an independent risk factor for heart failure. Previous reports have suggested that drug delivery routes and dosage of isoprenaline ( ISO) vary widely. The pathological characteristic of CH animal models varies induced by ISO treatment. Methods We established a rat CH model by subcutaneous implantation of an osmotic pump with low dose of ISO and long duration (4 mg / kg, for 28 days). The phenotypes were determined by echocardiography, histopathological observation, immunofluorescence and Real-time PCR. Results The pathological phenotypes of rats were typical. The overall phenotypes included markedly increased heart size, heart weight to body weight ratio and heart wall thickness. The cell phenotypes included enlarged cardiomyocytes and severe myocardial fibrosis, myocardial fiber rupture and myolysis, mitochondria ridge disappearance and vacuolation, distortion of the Z-line, M-line and leap disk. The molecular phenotypes including increased expression of ANP and BNP. Conclusions The rat model established in this study exhibited typical CH phenotypes. This method is stable and easy to replicate and this model can be used for scientific research such as for gene function analysis and relevant drug screening.