Weight-loss drugs slash risk of early death and hospitalisation in heart patients, major study shows.

A groundbreaking study presented at the world’s largest cardiology conference in Madrid reveals that weight-loss drugs known as GLP-1 agonists can reduce the risk of early death or hospitalisation by nearly 50% in patients with heart disease.

Researchers highlighted the “dramatic benefits” of GLP-1 agonists, which include injectable medications like semaglutide, known by brand names such as Wegovy and Ozempic, in offering significant protection against serious health outcomes in individuals with cardiovascular conditions. These findings suggest that GLP-1 treatment could be expanded to millions more patients, helping them live longer and avoid repeat hospital stays.

The study builds on earlier clinical evidence indicating semaglutide’s cardiovascular advantages: in the landmark SELECT trial, overweight or obese heart disease patients without diabetes experienced a substantial reduction in major adverse events—such as heart attacks, strokes, and death after treatment. Other research also shows that semaglutide and other GLP-1 drugs may benefit heart failure patients, with added effects on blood pressure, lipid levels, inflammation, and even direct improvements in heart function independent of weight loss.

Together, the findings underscore a pivotal shift: GLP-1 agonists are emerging not just as weight-loss medications, but as potentially vital tools in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, with the capacity to extend survival and reduce healthcare burdens worldwide.

Sources: The Guardian, AP,  American Heart Association