New lab test to identify high risk heart patients

The SRL Diagnostics Limited (SRL), one of largest diagnostics network in India, announced the launch of new lab test- ST2, to help identify high risk heart patients by measuring a specific biomarker in the bloodstream.
This medical test is available across India at all Fortis Labs and SRL Diagnostics Labs and its collection centres for just Rs 1600.
"Unlike many other cardiac biomarkers, ST2 correlates better with heart failure stages thus helping physicians make informed decisions on an appropriate course of action to take and, if needed, to quickly adjust treatment," said Dr B R Das, President - Research & Innovation, Mentor-Molecular Pathology and Clinical Research Services in SRL Diagnostics Limited.

Recent surveys have reported the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) to be 40 to 50 per cent higher in Asian Indians than individuals of other ethnic origins.
In addition, some 30 per cent of cardiovascular deaths occur between 35 and 64 years of age. The prevalence of heart failure in India due to coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and rheumatic heart disease ranges from 1.3 to 4.6 million, with an annual incidence of 4,91,600-1.8 million, Das said.