Heart stress based on NT-proBNP changes may improve CVD risk stratification

A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that changes in a specific heart stress biomarker called NT-proBNP over a three-year period may help improve the prediction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality in older adults without a prior history of CVD. Researchers led by Anping Cai from Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, analyzed data from 8,454 individuals who were initially free of CVD and had their NT-proBNP levels measured at the start of the study and again after three years.

Participants were then categorized based on their NT-proBNP status, which included persistently low levels, remission of elevated levels, new elevations, or consistently elevated levels. Over an average follow-up period of 8 years, the study observed higher risks of CVD and all-cause mortality for those with new or persistent elevations in NT-proBNP compared to the group with persistently low levels.

Specifically, the adjusted absolute risks for CVD increased by 7.4% and 6.7% for the new and persistent groups, respectively, while the risk of all-cause mortality rose by 6.1% and 7.5%, respectively. Remarkably, those whose NT-proBNP levels subsequently decreased to normal levels exhibited risk levels comparable to the group with consistently low levels.

The authors emphasize the need for further research to determine if monitoring NT-proBNP changes could inform healthcare decisions to better manage CVD risk and mortality in the older adult population.