A new study suggests that an injection developed to combat obesity could decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This effect is seen irrespective of the weight loss achieved by individuals using the medication.
The study focused on the impact of semaglutide, a prescription medication that curbs appetite. It is marketed under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. The researchers believe that these anti-obesity injections could enhance the cardiovascular health of numerous adults.
The research team, led by Prof John Deanfield, found that this generic drug could positively influence blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and inflammation. It could also have direct effects on the heart muscle and blood vessels.
The five-year study conducted by University College London (UCL) used data from the Select trial. This trial, run by semaglutide manufacturer Novo Nordisk, involved 17,604 adults aged 45 and above from 41 countries.
Prof Deanfield, who is set to present the study at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, stated that the findings have significant clinical implications. He compared this discovery to the introduction of statins in the 1990s, which was a major breakthrough that transformed cardiology practice.
According to Prof Deanfield, this class of drugs could potentially revolutionize the treatment of many chronic diseases associated with aging. His analysis of the Select trial examined the time before patients experienced major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, or developed heart failure.
After 20 weeks of using semaglutide, 62% of patients lost more than 5% of their body weight, compared to 10% in a placebo group. Interestingly, the reduction in the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure was similar in patients who lost more than 5% of their body weight and those who lost less than 5% or gained weight.
Prof Deanfield mentioned that about half of the patients he sees in his cardiovascular practice could benefit from taking semaglutide, in addition to their usual level of care guided by clinical guidelines.
In a conversation with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Prof Deanfield highlighted the potential importance of this drug in treating obesity. He said, “There are many people living with overweight or obesity, who have struggled to improve their weight. For that reason alone, these drugs offer an important clinical opportunity. But these drugs will also improve their underlying medical conditions. That is quite exciting.”
In August, researchers working on the Select trial found that semaglutide reduced the risk of a heart attack or stroke in obese people with cardiovascular disease by a fifth.
Prof Deanfield’s study is one of two studies based on the Select trial being presented at the ECO in Italy. The second study, led by Prof Donna Ryan of the Pennington Biomedical Research Centre in New Orleans, examined the long-term effect of semaglutide on weight.
Wegovy, which contains the same ingredient as Ozempic, is a diabetes medication that has been dubbed Hollywood’s “skinny jab” of choice. However, experts caution that it is not a quick fix or a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, and should only be administered under medical supervision.
