‘Heart failure major risk for diabetics, early detection key to saving lives’

KARACHI: Heart failure is the second most common heart complication faced by people with type-2 diabetes, health experts have warned and emphasized the importance of routine screening for this condition to enable early detection and prevent its worsening.

Highlighting Pakistan’s high prevalence of diabetes, experts identified a biomarker called NT-proBNP as a valuable tool for early detection of heart failure. This test allows doctors to pinpoint high-risk diabetic patients and take timely action.

The importance of early detection was stressed during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Discovering Diabetes Project (a corporate social responsibility initiative by PharmEvo Pvt Ltd) and Roche Diagnostics Pakistan. This collaboration aims to raise awareness about the NT-proBNP test among both diabetic patients and healthcare professionals.

Speaking on the occasion, health experts said compared to the general population, people with diabetes are more susceptible to heart complications. This is because high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and the heart muscle.

Additionally, diabetes often occurs alongside high blood pressure, putting further strain on the heart, they said adding that increased inflammation can also contribute to plaque build up in arteries, leading to heart disease.

Experts highlighted the benefits of measuring NT-proBNP levels in diabetics, saying this simple test provides valuable insights into heart health by predicting potential cardiovascular events. Elevated NT-proBNP levels indicate a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.

Syed Jamshed Ahmed, Project Director of Discovering Diabetes & Deputy CEO of PharmEvo Pvt Ltd, expressed optimism about the partnership with Roche Pakistan. He believes this collaboration will mark a new era in diabetes care.

“Launched three years ago, the Discovering Diabetes Project aims to prevent diabetes in Pakistan. We’ve established a free helpline and an innovative AI solution called Diabot. These resources empower individuals to better understand their diabetes status and manage their blood sugar levels through diet and exercise,” explained Ahmed.

Abdul Qayyum, Country Manager at Roche Diagnostics Pakistan & Afghanistan, emphasized the significant health and economic burden caused by the combination of type-2 diabetes and heart failure.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024