GLP-1 drug linked to heart benefits for high-risk patients
Adding the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug tirzepatide (marketed as Mounjaro) to standard care for patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease is associated with a lower risk of a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, finds a study published by The BMJ today.
A recent study in The BMJ reveals that adding the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro, to standard treatment for high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease may lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Researchers analyzed data from two U.S. health insurance claims databases between May 2022 and May 2025, comparing tirzepatide to another GLP-1 agonist called sitagliptin.
Over a year, tirzepatide users experienced a 32% relative reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared to sitagliptin users. Specifically, tirzepatide was linked to a 33% lower risk of heart attacks and a lower risk of death from any cause compared to sitagliptin. This observational study, while limited by a short follow-up period and other potential factors, suggests that tirzepatide could provide cardiovascular benefits in routine care for this patient group, though longer-term studies and randomized comparisons are still needed to clarify the impact of tirzepatide on mortality and its place in contemporary cardiac therapy.
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