Glossary

Diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic metabolic diseases characterised by persistent hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose levels) resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Insulin, a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, is essential for regulating blood sugar and enabling cells to absorb glucose for energy production.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), also known as glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, or simply A1c, is a blood test that provides valuable information about a person's average blood glucose (sugar) levels over the preceding two to three months. Unlike daily blood glucose tests that capture a single moment in time, HbA1c offers a longer-term picture of blood sugar control, making it an essential tool for diagnosing and managing diabetes mellitus.

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump blood efficiently enough to meet the body's demands for blood and oxygen. Despite its name, heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working entirely—rather, it indicates that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal or the heart has become too stiff to fill properly.