Plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as a marker of cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes

Plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a peptide produced by the ventricles of the heart
in response to cardiac stress. It has been shown to be a marker of increased risk of developing clinicallyimportant
heart disease in individuals from the general population. However, we do not know if NT-proBNP is
also a predictor of heart disease and/or related conditions in people with type 2 diabetes, a group of people who
are particularly prone to developing heart disease. This project will investigate the links between NT-proBNP and
heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes, to determine whether or not the peptide could be useful in clinical
practice to identify a particularly high-risk group of individuals who would benefit from enhanced preventive
measures.