Experts highlight that people with diabetes face a two- to four-fold higher risk of heart failure, underscoring the importance of early risk assessment - newswit
Roche Diagnostics Thailand brings together cardiology and diabetes experts to discuss heart failure risk assessment in people with diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart failure than the general population. As early-stage heart failure may not present with clear symptoms, early risk assessment and the identification of cardiac abnormalities are important in supporting the appropriate management of people with diabetes.
This topic was a key focus of a recent Roche Diagnostics symposium titled "The Role of NT-proBNP in CVD Risk Stratification in Diabetes," held in Bangkok. The event brought together cardiology and diabetes experts to exchange perspectives on the risk of heart failure among people with diabetes and the role of NT-proBNP in supporting cardiovascular risk assessment.
Diabetes and the hidden risk of heart failure
Clinical Professor Dr. Chaicharn Deerochanawong, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Department of Medicine, Rajavithi Hospital, said that heart failure can develop even before clear symptoms appear, particularly among people with diabetes who have multiple cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.
"Early assessment and identification of people at risk are important, as they enable physicians to consider further testing and determine an appropriate approach to care before more severe symptoms of heart failure develop."
NT-proBNP provides additional information for risk assessment
The symposium also highlighted the role of NT-proBNP, a biomarker associated with cardiac muscle stress that can be used alongside other clinical information to support risk assessment.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teetouch Ananwattanasuk, Head of the Heart Center, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, explained that NT-proBNP can help physicians identify patients who may be at risk and may require further evaluation. According to information presented at the symposium, an NT-proBNP level of 125 pg/mL or above may be considered as part of heart failure risk assessment in the outpatient setting.
"The value of NT-proBNP goes beyond the test result itself. It can help physicians identify patients who may benefit from closer monitoring or further evaluation, allowing for more appropriate clinical management."
NT-proBNP results should be interpreted alongside the patient's clinical information and individual characteristics. Factors such as obesity may affect biomarker levels; therefore, NT-proBNP results should not be used in isolation when assessing a patient.
From risk assessment to proactive care
Prof. Dr. Apiradee Sriwijitkamol, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, presented practical approaches to incorporating heart failure risk assessment into clinical practice. She shared a case study of a 58-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, who experienced fatigue and reduced exercise capacity despite no obvious abnormalities being detected during initial examinations.
This case study highlights the challenge of identifying patients who may be at risk at an early stage, as well as the role of NT-proBNP testing in determining whether further evaluation may be warranted.
"When caring for people with diabetes, we may encounter patients whose symptoms are not clear. A systematic approach to risk assessment can help physicians identify those who may require further cardiac evaluation, rather than waiting until their symptoms become more severe."
This approach is consistent with the American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026, which emphasises cardiovascular risk assessment in people with diabetes, including the use of biomarkers such as BNP or NT-proBNP to help identify individuals at risk and support strategies to prevent heart failure.
Clinical Professor Dr. Chaicharn Deerochanawong added, "The key goal is to shift from providing care only after a problem has developed towards a more proactive approach to cardiovascular care. Identifying risk at an early stage can support appropriate assessment and patient management before heart failure becomes clinically apparent."
The symposium concluded with a panel discussion featuring all three experts, highlighting the importance of integrated care across diabetes and cardiology to support comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment and management for people with diabetes.
The symposium reflects Roche Diagnostics' commitment to supporting medical knowledge exchange and advancing approaches to patient care that prioritise the early identification of cardiovascular risk alongside appropriate diabetes management.
