An injection designed to combat obesity may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people regardless of weight loss, a study has found.
Researchers studied the effects of semaglutide, a prescription drug that suppresses appetite and is sold under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus. They found that injections of these drugs, designed to combat obesity, could also benefit the cardiovascular health of millions of adults, BBC Turkish reported.
Prof. John Deanfield’s Remarks
Professor John Deanfield, who led the team, said semaglutide could have positive effects on blood sugar, blood pressure or inflammation, as well as direct effects on the heart muscle and blood vessels.
17,604 Adults Studied
The five-year University College London (UCL) study examined 17,604 adults aged over 45 from 41 countries, using data from a trial conducted by semaglutide manufacturer Novo Nordisk. Speaking before the study was presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, Deanfield said the findings had “important clinical implications” and likened it to the introduction of statins in the 1990s.
Important Clinical Findings
“We finally realized that there was a class of drugs that could change the biology of this disease in a way that would benefit many people. This was a major breakthrough and transformed the practice of cardiology. We now have this class of drugs that can transform many chronic diseases associated with aging in the same way,” Deanfield said. Deanfield’s analysis of the research examined the time it took before patients suffered significant cardiovascular outcomes, such as heart attack or stroke, or whether they developed heart failure.
Outcomes of Semaglutide Use
After 20 weeks on semaglutide, patients had a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure, and this was independent of the amount of weight lost.
Reduces Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
In August, the research team found that semaglutide reduced the risk of heart attack or stroke by a fifth in obese people with cardiovascular disease. Prof. Deanfield’s study is one of two based on this research that will be presented at ECO in Italy.
Long Term Effects
The second study, led by Prof. Donna Ryan from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, examined the long-term effect of semaglutide on weight. Wegovy has the same ingredients as Ozempic, a diabetes drug, and Ozempic is known as the “weight loss shot” for Hollywood stars. The UK approved Wegovy for prescription last year.
Warnings from Experts
But experts warn that these drugs are not a quick fix, cannot replace good nutrition and exercise, and should only be used under medical supervision.
