Weight loss drug Ozempic has been shown to also prevent heart attacks

A surprising discovery: Semaglutide, also known as the miracle weight loss drug Ozempic, can prevent heart attacks, even in overweight people with existing cardiovascular problems.

Originally developed to prevent diabetes and control blood sugar levels, semaglutide mimics a hormone that regulates appetite and insulin secretion. Its success in weight loss has been a game changer for many people with obesity.

What is really interesting is the ongoing research pointing to its potential benefits for heart health and suggesting that it could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in people with diabetes.

These fascinating findings from Professor John Deanfield of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science offer hope for people with a variety of heart conditions, including heart failure.

Semaglutide’s potential for cardiac treatment

A closer look at Professor Deanfield's surprising results reveals some interesting insights into how semaglutide might act as a protective shield for the heart against various problems.

The focus of this important research was the SELECT study, the largest and longest clinical trial of semaglutide to date, which included a diverse group of 17,605 participants from different backgrounds.

Among them, a notable subgroup of 4,286 participants with pre-existing heart failure were carefully monitored to determine what effects the drug had on their health.

What we learned from the study

The results of this extensive study were impressive and caused a great deal of excitement in the medical community.

With an average follow-up of over three years, the data showed that semaglutide was associated with a significant 28% reduction in major cardiac events, including serious events such as heart attacks and strokes.

This suggests that semaglutide may play a crucial role not only in weight control but also in supporting heart health.

For participants with heart failure, the results were particularly hopeful. The study found a 24% reduction in deaths related to cardiovascular disease, demonstrating the drug's effectiveness in combating serious health risks.

In addition, there was a notable 19% decrease in deaths from all causes, indicating an overall improvement in the health of patients using semaglutide as part of their treatment plan.

These compelling results could lead to new treatment protocols that include semaglutide and ultimately improve the quality of life of people at risk for cardiovascular events.

Difficult heart problems benefit from semaglutide

A major problem this study has cleared up concerns people who suffer from a certain type of heart failure called reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In this condition, the heart has a hard time pumping blood effectively, leading to several health problems.

Patients with HFrEF often experience fatigue, shortness of breath and a lower quality of life. Many feared that semaglutide, a drug used primarily to treat diabetes, could worsen this condition, but this comprehensive study has allayed those fears.

What's really impressive is that research has shown that semaglutide has great promise in several types of heart failure, including reduced and preserved ejection fraction. This is exciting because it means semaglutide could help a wider range of patients.

The study also took into account several factors that may affect treatment outcomes, such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and general health, and excluded them from its results.

Semaglutide, heart failure and science

Although there is some uncertainty about how semaglutide works its magic, several theories are currently being investigated.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and mimics the body's natural hormones that lower blood sugar levels after eating.

But wait, there's more! The drug may also have positive effects on blood pressure and inflammation, and may have direct effects on the heart muscle and blood vessels.

What is the next step?

Given the encouraging results, it is important to remember that the SELECT trial did not focus only on heart failure. Further studies are needed to fully understand the effects of semaglutide on the outcomes of heart failure.

In addition, the study's limitations—including a majority male and predominantly white participants—require future research that focuses on diverse ethnicities and genders.

In summary, Professor John Deanfield's study provides a compelling argument for semaglutide, but also underlines the need for further research to confirm these findings and explore the full spectrum of benefits of the drug.

While we await further evidence, the healthcare community is on high alert and excited about the development of this new treatment approach.

The full study was published in the journal The Lancet.

—–

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for exciting articles, exclusive content and the latest updates.

Check out EarthSnap, a free app from Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

—–