Assessment of Clinical Presentation and Risk Factors with Exercise Tolerance Test in Type 2 Diabetics Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Exercise tolerance test (ETT) is an accessible tool for ischemia detection and assessment of cardiovascular risk in high-risk patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical presentation and risk factors with exercise tolerance test in type 2 diabetics patients. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology, BIRDEM general hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh June 2022 to May 2023. Total 82 patients with type 2 diabetes aged between 31-63 years attending in out-patient department of Cardiology and Medicine and also from in-patient department of the respective disciplines were included in this study. Results: Mean age was 47.36 ± 16.38 years with male predominance (67.07%). Classic chest pain (74.39%) and dyspnea (41.46%) correlated strongly with ETT positivity. Poor glycemic control (mean HbA1c 9.4%) and dyslipidemia were prevalent. Dyslipidemia (79.26%), hypertension (71.95%), family history of ischemic heart disease (65.85%), and smoking (59.75%) were all significantly more prevalent in ETT positives. Conclusion: It is more probable that individuals with T2DM and multiple cardiovascular risk factors with compromised metabolic control will present with ischemia that can be detected on ETT. Early detection and prevention of cardiovascular events in resource-limited environments might be facilitated through routine use of ETT in the high-risk population.