One in four diabetics at serious risk of heart failure, reveals new data concerning Delhi-NCR, Mumbai

Sep 28, 2024

New Delhi [India], September 28 : World Heart Day is being observed on September 29 and new data from Dr. Dangs Lab and Dr. Ameya Joshi, a leading endocrinologist at Bhaktivedanta Hospital, has revealed a concerning surge in heart failure (HF) risk among diabetic patients in Delhi NCR and Mumbai.
An analysis of over 2,000 patient samples from Dr. Dangs Lab in Delhi NCR found that 15 per cent of individuals with an HbA1c score above 6.5 mg/dL showed elevated NT-proBNP levels, a biomarker for early heart failure detection, a release said.
Similarly, Dr. Joshi's study of 1,054 patients confirmed that 34 per cent of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular complications.
Heart failure is one of the most serious cardiovascular complications in patients with T2DM.
The co-existence of diabetes and heart failure is linked to worse symptoms, a higher rate of hospitalisations, and increased mortality compared to patients without T2DM, the release said.
Even with optimal control, people with T2DM still face a 21% higher risk for CVD and a 31% higher risk for HF related hospitalisation compared to non-diabetics, the release said, citing paper in a journal.
Dr Ameya Joshi, Sr Consultant, Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mumbai, said "the data from Mumbai confirms a worrying trend."
"People with diabetes, especially in urban settings, are increasingly at risk of heart failure. NT-proBNP testing offers a critical tool for early detection, enabling healthcare professionals to intervene before heart damage becomes irreversible. This insight should encourage clinicians to incorporate CVD risk screening as a routine part of diabetes care."
NT-proBNP elevation is an early indicator of heart failure in T2DM patients, detectable before structural or functional changes appear on imaging, the release said.
As a vital tool for assessing heat failure risk, the NT-proBNP test has revealed the hidden burden of heart failure in diabetics. Performed on Roche Diagnostics' cobas® pro integrated solutions, this test has significantly advanced cardiometabolic testing at Dr. Dangs Lab, the release said.