Weight loss alone does not explain lower heart disease risk for those on semaglutide
Semaglutide is known to reduce the risk of serious heart disease. However, a new study published in the European Heart Journal suggests that this effect cannot be entirely explained by patients losing weight on the drug.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal reveals that the heart health benefits of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, cannot be solely attributed to weight loss. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh analyzed data from a clinical trial involving 17,604 patients and found that while semaglutide recipients lost weight, experienced reduced waist circumferences, and improved blood test results, these changes only accounted for about half of the observed 20% decrease in serious cardiovascular disease rates.
The remaining reduction remains unexplained, suggesting that semaglutide may work through additional mechanisms. These could include anti-inflammatory effects or direct impacts on heart muscle or blood vessels. Professor Helen Colhoun, who led the study, emphasized that semaglutide should be viewed as a drug that reduces cardiovascular disease risk beyond its weight loss effects.
The study's findings highlight the need for further research to uncover the full extent of semaglutide's cardiovascular benefits.
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