Weight loss drugs could have cardiovascular benefits new research shows
On the 14th of May in the year 2024, Kaamya Mehta wrote a blog post.
A recent study has shown that semaglutide, which is the primary component in weight loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy, can lower the risk of serious cardiovascular incidents such as a stroke or heart attack. This benefit is not dependent on one's level of weight loss.
Semaglutides are typically given to individuals who suffer from type 2 diabetes in order to aid them in shedding some pounds. Disclosed research has revealed that this medication can also offer cardiovascular advantages for those who have a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Two fresh research papers have been introduced at the European Congress on Obesity, indicating that semaglutides can assist in losing weight and potentially decrease the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, and other perilous heart occurrences in individuals who do not have type 2 diabetes.
Healthy Heart With Lower Risk
The blog section discusses two research studies that examined the effects of semaglutide on weight loss in over 17,000 adults who were overweight or obese but did not have diabetes. This clinical trial was the largest and longest of its kind. One of the studies discovered that subjects who received a weekly injection of semaglutide were able to maintain weight loss over an extended period. The study found that participants, irrespective of their age, body size, ethnicity, or location, lost about 10% of their body weight after four years.
The second investigation, headed by Professor John Deanfield, who once held the position of chair of the British Heart Foundation, revealed that people with heart-related problems who were overweight or obese but did not suffer from diabetes, had a lower risk of experiencing heart attacks, strokes, or other dangerous heart-related occurrences, regardless of the amount of weight they shed. In addition, more than 50% of the participants decreased to a lower BMI category within two years.
According to Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, who is both a consultant cardiologist and associate medical director at British Heart Foundation, there are some things we can do to keep our hearts healthy.
A recent study found that the majority of English adults struggle with being overweight or obese. The study also discovered that the medication semaglutide could potentially help individuals diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions, even if they do not lose weight. This is likely due to the drug's positive effects on blood sugar, blood pressure, and inflammation in the heart, in addition to reducing body fat. However, it's important to note that some participants experienced side effects that prohibited them from continuing with the medication. Additional research is needed over a longer time period and with a more diverse group of individuals to fully understand the impact of semaglutide on heart disease, which is currently the leading cause of death worldwide.
