World Heart Day: Rising Heart Failure Risk Among Diabetic Patients in Delhi NCR and Mumbai
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% of individuals with an HbA1c score above 6.5 mg/dL showed elevated NT-proBNP levels, a biomarker for early heart failure detection. Similarly, Dr. Joshi’s study of 1,054 patients confirmed that 34% 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. Even with optimal control, people with T2DM still face a 21% higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a 31% higher risk for HF-related hospitalisation compared to non-diabetics.
Dr. Ameya Joshi, Sr Consultant at 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. As a vital tool for assessing heart 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.
Doubts Revealed
World Heart Day -: World Heart Day is a special day celebrated every year on September 29th to raise awareness about heart health and how to prevent heart diseases.
Heart Failure -: Heart failure means the heart is not pumping blood as well as it should. This can make it hard for the body to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
Diabetic Patients -: Diabetic patients are people who have diabetes, a condition where the body has trouble controlling blood sugar levels.
Delhi NCR -: Delhi NCR stands for Delhi National Capital Region, which includes Delhi and nearby cities like Gurgaon, Noida, and Faridabad.
Mumbai -: Mumbai is a big city in India, known as the financial capital of the country.
Dr. Dangs Lab -: Dr. Dangs Lab is a medical laboratory in India where doctors and scientists test blood and other samples to understand health conditions.
Dr. Ameya Joshi -: Dr. Ameya Joshi is a doctor who works at Bhaktivedanta Hospital and specializes in treating diabetes and other health issues.
Bhaktivedanta Hospital -: Bhaktivedanta Hospital is a hospital in Mumbai where people go to get treated for various health problems.
HbA1c levels -: HbA1c levels show the average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. High levels mean poor control of diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus -: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a common type of diabetes where the body doesn’t use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels.
NT-proBNP testing -: NT-proBNP testing is a blood test that helps doctors find out if someone has heart failure or is at risk of it.
Cardiovascular risk screening -: Cardiovascular risk screening means checking if someone is at risk of heart diseases, like heart attacks or heart failure.