In a major medical breakthrough, a weight loss drug called semaglutide has been found to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death due to cardiovascular disease by 20%, according to multiple studies presented at the European Congress of Obesity (ECO) in Lisbon, Portugal. The medication could potentially be routinely prescribed to treat cardiovascular illnesses and benefit millions across the UK in the coming years.
The findings come from two separate studies led by researchers at University College London and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Both studies found that semaglutide, which is available under various brand names including Wegovy and Ozempic, brought about cardiovascular benefits regardless of starting weight or the amount of weight lost.
The first study, led by Professor John Deanfield from University College London, involved 12,000 participants with obesity or overweight and existing cardiovascular risk. The researchers found that those taking semaglutide had a 20% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, or death due to cardiovascular disease compared to those on placebo.
The second study, led by Dr. Kavita Sharma from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, focused on heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFePF). The trial found that participants taking semaglutide saw an average 17% decline in diuretic use compared to a 2.4% increase for those on placebo over the course of a year. Patients receiving Wegovy typically lost significant weight during the study period.
Semaglutide is already prescribed for weight loss on the NHS since 2023, and its potential cardiovascular benefits could make it a game-changer in treating heart conditions. It's important to note that these findings are preliminary and should be considered alongside other available treatments.
The studies also suggest that semaglutide may protect the heart in ways beyond weight loss alone, as the reduction in risk of heart attack or other events was seen even in people using Wegovy who didn't lose weight. This raises new questions about how these drugs should be used and covered by insurers.
The implications of these findings are significant, as 7.6 million people in the UK are living with heart or circulatory disease.
