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Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro have become extremely popular for weight loss. These drugs, called GLP-1s, were initially designed to treat diabetes. They mimic a natural hormone (called GLP-1) that helps regulate blood sugar, control insulin, and makes you feel full. GLP-1 medications have been proven to be very effective at helping people control their diabetes and shed pounds. But did you know they also have cardiovascular benefits? There has been research done into other ways these medications affect the body, and the results are encouraging. While they are not a "magic pill," they can address some other health risks caused by obesity, including heart disease. Here is an overview from PatientsLikeMe!
Does Semaglutide Have a Cardiovascular Benefit?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist, and is prescribed under the names Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy. Researchers set out to study the effect this type of GLP-1 has on the heart a few years ago. The SELECT Trial studied 17,604 adults with obesity and a cardiovascular condition but no history of diabetes. Over three years, participants who took Wegovy (a semaglutide) had:
- A 20% lower risk of major cardiac events (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death).
- A 28% reduction in heart attacks, particularly in those already taking cholesterol-lowering medications (statins).
- A 7% decrease in non-fatal strokes.
- A 15% drop in cardiovascular-related deaths.
- A 19% lower overall death rate (not limited to heart-related causes).
Obesity is a major contributor to heart disease. Researchers think that by addressing obesity early, cardiovascular benefits could appear even in the first few years of treatment and may increase over time.
How Many People Could Benefit?
A study by Yale University estimated that 6.6 million Americans with obesity and cardiovascular conditions (but not diabetes) could benefit from semaglutide treatment. Since obesity is a driving factor behind heart disease, making GLP-1 medications more widely available could change how we treat the heart. Traditionally, cardiologists have focused on treating conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but now they may have a direct tool to target obesity itself.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Like all medications, these semaglutides do come with risks. The most common side effects are:
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation).
- Low blood sugar (if taken with certain diabetes medications).
- Pancreas or gallbladder problems.
- Eye complications (for people with diabetes).
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors (rare but noted by the FDA).
Does Semaglutide Help With Heart Failure?
Heart failure is when the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body to meet its needs. This can come about from the heart weakening over time, or when arteries narrow and the heart is too stiff. Obesity is closely tied to heart failure, causing an estimate 11% of cases in men and 14% of cases in women. When studying how semaglutide affects the heart, researchers were particularly interesting in finding out if it helped reduce the rate of heart failure. There is a specific type of heart failure called preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This type affects nearly half of all heart failure patients.
A trial studied 529 patients with HFpEF and obesity, randomly giving them either a semaglutide or a placebo. After 52 weeks, the people who took semaglutide saw:
- Reduced heart failure symptoms and physical limitations.
- Increased walking distance (as measured by a six-minute walk test).
- Significant weight loss.
- Lower inflammation markers (CRP levels).
- Fewer serious adverse events compared to placebo.
This trial suggests that semaglutide could be a valuable treatment for heart failure patients with obesity. It improved both both their symptoms and quality of life.
GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro do more than help with weight loss. They also reduce heart disease risk. Clinical trials have shown that semaglutide can lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, decrease heart failure symptoms, and improve overall survival rates in people with obesity. While these medications are promising, they are not for everyone! Potential side effects, cost, and long-term risks should be carefully considered. However, for millions of people struggling with obesity and heart disease, GLP-1 drugs offer a new, effective approach to improving heart health.
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