Background N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) are excellent biomarkers for detecting heart failure and subclinical myocardial injury.However,it remains unclear whether subclinical myocardial injury is associated with NT-proBNP elevation in a community based population.Methods In a community based study,levels of hs-cTnT and of NT-proBNP were determined in 1 497 participants older than 45 years.The lower detection limit of the hs-cTnT assay used in the present study was 0.003 ng/ml.The association of hs-cTnT levels and NT-proBNP levels was analyzed.Results When the subjects with undetectable (＜0.003 ng/ml),intermediate (0.003-0.014 ng/ml),and elevated (≥0.014 ng/ml) levels of hs-cTnT were compared (r=0.175,P ＜0.001),a strong association between the hs-cTnT levels and NT-proBNP levels was observed (β=-0.206,P ＜0.001; β=-0.118,P ＜0.001,respectively).In multivariable analyses,older age and hs-cTnT were positively and independently associated with NT-proBNP levels (β=0.341,P ＜0.001; β=0.143,P ＜0.001,respectively),and male gender and the levels of eGFR were inversely and independently associated with NT-proBNP levels.When the subjects with normal or elevated NT-proBNP were analyzed separately,the hs-cTnT level was not an independent predictor for the NT-proBNP level in the normal NT-proBNP group,whereas the hs-cTnT level was the only independent predictor for NT-proBNP level in the elevated NT-proBNP group (β=0.399,P ＜0.01).Conclusions In this community based population,NT-proBNP elevation was common.In addition to female gender and older age,subclinical myocardial injury indicated by the hs-cTnT level was another important factor in NT-proBNP elevation.