Key takeaways:
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable weight-loss medication. It’s also FDA approved to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with heart disease and excess weight.
A large clinical trial showed that Wegovy lowered the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) by 20%.
A new analysis found that these heart benefits began early in treatment, even before participants lost a significant amount of weight.
Wegovy is the first weight-loss medication approved for its cardiovascular benefits.
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For some people with larger bodies, having extra body weight can impact their heart health. In this case, even a small amount of weight loss can have heart-related benefits.
If needed, weight-loss medications can be a useful tool for achieving these personal health goals. And there are several different pills and injections to choose from. But when it comes to options like semaglutide (Wegovy), it can do more than just help people lose weight.
Semaglutide has proven cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) benefits for certain people with heart disease. This was initially seen with Ozempic, a semaglutide medication for Type 2 diabetes. And for people without diabetes, these benefits have since been proven with Wegovy, as well.
Here, we’ll discuss why Wegovy is good for heart health and who could potentially benefit from taking it.
Is Wegovy good for heart health?
Yes, it can be. Wegovy is best known as a weight-loss medication. But it’s also the first of its kind approved to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems. Specifically, it has proven heart benefits for adults with heart disease who are considered overweight or obese.
This approval was based on the SELECT trial, which followed over 17,000 people for 5 years. It found that Wegovy lowered the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death), or MACE, by 20% compared to placebo (an injection without medication).
In a new analysis from the trial, researchers found that cardiovascular benefits began early in treatment — before participants had lost a significant amount of weight. This suggests that Wegovy’s heart benefits aren’t just a result of weight loss.
Wegovy may also benefit adults with a larger body size and a type of heart failure where the heart doesn’t fill properly. In clinical trials, Wegovy improved heart failure symptoms and physical function in people with and without diabetes. It also lowered the risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure. Wegovy isn’t currently approved for heart failure, but it could be in the near future.
How does semaglutide help the heart?
Researchers are still learning exactly how semaglutide supports heart health. But its benefits likely go beyond weight loss alone. As mentioned above, cardiovascular benefits have been seen early in treatment, before significant weight loss occurs.
In addition to weight loss, other semaglutide effects that can support cardiovascular health may include:
Improving blood glucose (sugar) levels
Lowering inflammation throughout the body
Improving blood flow, such as in the brain
Making platelets (blood clotting cells) less likely to stick together
Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
Is Wegovy safe for your heart?
Yes, Wegovy is generally safe for the heart, and it’s even approved to help lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in certain people.
What’s up next: Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) has a growing list of benefits beyond Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Here’s what you should know about current and potential uses of semaglutide.
Compare semaglutide injections: See what experts say about the similarities and differences between Ozempic and Wegovy, two brand-name versions of semaglutide.
How to save: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications like Wegovy don’t need to break the bank. Explore ways to save on your prescription with this GLP-1 savings guide.
But medications like Wegovy aren’t safe for everyone. For example, you shouldn’t use Wegovy if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Your healthcare team can review your medical history to determine if Wegovy is a safe option for you.
Who could benefit from Wegovy for heart health?
Wegovy may benefit several groups of people who are considered overweight or obese, especially when heart health is a concern:
Adults with heart disease: Wegovy has proven cardiovascular benefits in this group. It can also help you meet your personal body weight goals.
Adults with heart disease risk factors: People without heart disease weren’t included in the SELECT trial. But if you have heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, heart health benefits are still possible. Weight loss itself can help lower these risks.
Adolescents ages 12 and older with a larger body size: Adolescents also weren’t included in the SELECT trial. But there’s evidence that they do see heart health benefits while using Wegovy. These benefits may include reductions in body weight and waist size, hemoglobin A1C (average blood sugar over 3 months), and cholesterol levels.
Keep in mind that Wegovy doesn’t work for everyone. It’s also meant to be used long term, and the ongoing cost can be a barrier to accessing and staying on the medication. If you stop Wegovy, people often regain some of the weight they’ve lost. And you may lose some of the cardiovascular benefits, too.
Talk to your healthcare team to see if Wegovy fits into your overall treatment plan and long-term health goals.
Frequently asked questions
Wegovy can cause a small increase in resting heart rate, typically around 1 to 4 beats per minute. So far, this hasn’t been linked to serious heart issues in adults. But more research is needed to understand the potential risks of this side effect. Make sure to tell your prescriber if you notice a fast or irregular heartbeat after starting Wegovy.
Yes, Wegovy is safe to take if you have high blood pressure. In fact, having high blood pressure was one factor that made people eligible to participate in many Wegovy clinical trials.
If you have high blood pressure, you may notice your blood pressure readings improving after starting Wegovy. It’s possible you may be able to take less medication to manage your blood pressure over time. Depending on how you respond to treatment, your healthcare team can determine if any adjustments can be made to your medications.
Wegovy is currently the only weight-loss medication that’s approved to also provide cardiovascular benefits. This makes it a top choice for people with heart disease. Zepbound (tirzepatide), a similar medication, is currently being studied for heart protection and could be approved for this use within the next few years.
Yes, clinical trials have shown that semaglutide lowers the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) in certain people with heart disease.
Wegovy can cause a small increase in resting heart rate, typically around 1 to 4 beats per minute. So far, this hasn’t been linked to serious heart issues in adults. But more research is needed to understand the potential risks of this side effect. Make sure to tell your prescriber if you notice a fast or irregular heartbeat after starting Wegovy.
Yes, Wegovy is safe to take if you have high blood pressure. In fact, having high blood pressure was one factor that made people eligible to participate in many Wegovy clinical trials.
If you have high blood pressure, you may notice your blood pressure readings improving after starting Wegovy. It’s possible you may be able to take less medication to manage your blood pressure over time. Depending on how you respond to treatment, your healthcare team can determine if any adjustments can be made to your medications.
Wegovy is currently the only weight-loss medication that’s approved to also provide cardiovascular benefits. This makes it a top choice for people with heart disease. Zepbound (tirzepatide), a similar medication, is currently being studied for heart protection and could be approved for this use within the next few years.
Yes, clinical trials have shown that semaglutide lowers the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) in certain people with heart disease.
The bottom line
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable weight-loss medication. It’s also approved to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with heart disease and a larger body size. This may be due to weight loss, as well as other effects in the body.
Wegovy is meant to be taken long term to get the most benefits from treatment. If you stop Wegovy, you can regain weight and potentially lose some of its cardiovascular benefits. Talk to your healthcare team to see if Wegovy is right for you.
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References
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