The widely-used weight-loss drug Wegovy has demonstrated a 20% reduction in the risk of serious heart problems, marking a significant breakthrough, according to a large-scale international study. Experts suggest that these findings could reshape medical approaches to certain heart patients. This research is groundbreaking as it establishes that Wegovy, an obesity medication, not only aids in weight loss but also effectively prevents heart attacks, strokes, or heart-related deaths in individuals with existing heart disease (excluding diabetes).
The study challenges the perception of obesity drugs as solely cosmetic treatments, potentially prompting health insurers to reconsider coverage. Dr. Michael Lincoff, the lead author of the study and a heart expert at the Cleveland Clinic, emphasized the shift from weight reduction therapy to a method actively reducing cardiovascular events.
Wegovy, a high-dose version of the diabetes treatment Ozempic, has already demonstrated heart-related benefits in individuals with diabetes. This recent study investigated whether similar benefits extended to those without diabetes. The results could reshape treatment guidelines, particularly for individuals who do not have diabetes but are at risk of heart issues.
While weight loss is known to enhance heart health, there has been a lack of safe and effective obesity medications proven to mitigate specific cardiovascular risks. Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez from the Mayo Clinic anticipates that these findings will dominate discussions and influence treatment guidelines for years to come, particularly for a population that needs this type of medicine the most.
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a medical conference in Philadelphia, the study included over 17,500 participants across 41 countries. The participants, aged 45 and above with a body mass index of 27 or higher, were tracked for an average of over three years. Those receiving Wegovy injections experienced a 20% reduction in heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death compared to those in the placebo group.
Wegovy participants also saw improvements in key markers of heart disease, including inflammation, cholesterol, blood sugars, blood pressure, and waist circumference. The study observed an early impact on these markers even before substantial weight loss occurred.
Despite the positive outcomes, approximately one-third of participants reported serious side effects. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other stomach-related issues led to a higher discontinuation rate in the Wegovy group (17%) compared to the placebo group (8%).
The study's results may play a role in reshaping the coverage landscape for obesity medications, particularly in influencing discussions around Medicare coverage. The introduction of Wegovy, along with other injectable medications for obesity, represents a significant development in addressing weight-related health issues.