Evaluation of the influence of glycated hemoglobin on cardiovascular risk in Indians aged 30–70 years
Ambrin Zenab, Sudhanshu Kacker, Neha SabooAbstract
Background:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality in India, and diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a reliable marker of long-term glycemic status, is widely used to predict future cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to assess the influence of HbA1c levels on cardiovascular risk among Indian adults aged 30–70 years and to explore the association between glycemic control and future CVD risk.
Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology at RUHS College of Medical Sciences and its affiliated hospitals in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, from July to December 2022. A total of 220 participants, of both sexes, aged 30–70 years, were recruited from the Medicine Outpatient Department. Based on HbA1c levels and the American Diabetes Association criteria, participants were categorized as normoglycemic (<5.7%), prediabetic (5.7%–6.4%), or diabetic (≥6.5%). Cardiovascular risk was estimated using the QRISK3 web calculator. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test to assess associations and Pearson’s correlation analysis to evaluate relationships between variables.
Results:
Of the 220 participants, 55.9% were male and 44.1% were female. Based on HbA1c classification, 77.7% were normoglycemic, 12.7% were prediabetic, and 9.5% were diabetic. According to QRISK3 scoring, 78.6% of participants were categorized as low risk, 10.9% as moderate risk, and 10.5% as high risk for CVD. A highly significant association was observed between HbA1c levels and QRISK3 risk categories (
Conclusion:
The study’s findings suggest that cardiovascular risk increases progressively with higher HbA1c levels, underscoring the importance of early and effective glycemic control to reduce cardiovascular risk among the Indian population. These findings may inform the development of public health strategies to reduce the burden of CVD by improving glycemic management.