Weight loss pills may reduce heart disease risk by 20%: Study
In a large study tracking nearly 10,000 adults, researchers observed that people taking a daily semaglutide pill were 22 per cent less likely to be hospitalised for heart failure or die from the condition than those given a placebo.
New Delhi: A daily weight-loss pill already hailed for its slimming effects could also offer significant protection against serious heart problems, according to new research from the United States. Scientists have found that tablets containing semaglutide — the same active ingredient used in popular injections such as Wegovy and Ozempic — may reduce the risk of heart failure by more than a fifth. The findings add to growing evidence that drugs originally designed to treat diabetes and obesity may have far-reaching benefits for cardiovascular health.
In a large study tracking nearly 10,000 adults, researchers observed that people taking a daily semaglutide pill were 22 per cent less likely to be hospitalised for heart failure or die from the condition than those given a placebo. The trial also found a 14 per cent reduction in major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.
Semaglutide has already been shown to help patients lose up to 15 per cent of their body weight. While weight loss itself is known to ease strain on the heart, experts say the drug’s heart-protective effects may extend beyond the number on the scales. Earlier studies have suggested injectable versions of semaglutide can lower the risk of heart attack or stroke by around 20 per cent, even in patients who do not lose significant weight.
The latest research was led by scientists at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The team followed 9,650 participants, all of whom were receiving standard care for conditions such as type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Participants were selected randomly and assigned to take either a semaglutide pill or a dummy pill once a day.
Those in the treatment group started on a 3mg dose for the first month, increased to 7mg in the second month, and then moved up to 14mg for the remainder of the 10-month study. Throughout the trial, researchers closely monitored heart-related outcomes, blood sugar levels, body weight, and blood pressure.
The strongest benefits were seen in people who already had heart failure at the start of the study. In this group, semaglutide reduced the risk of heart disease-related death and hospitalisation significantly. However, among participants with no prior history of heart failure, the difference between the drug and the placebo was less pronounced.
Although researchers noted that it is not yet clear exactly how semaglutide protects the heart, previous studies suggest that it could improve blood sugar control, support healthier blood vessels, and reduce inflammation as well. Low body weight could also improve cholesterol levels and overall heart function.
Heart failure is a serious and common complication in patients with type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity. Researchers say that their findings could help experts make more informed decisions regarding the treatment of high cardiovascular risks.
With oral semaglutide already being introduced in parts of the US and expected to reach the UK later this year, experts believe the pill could become a valuable new tool — not just for weight management, but for reducing the burden of heart disease in vulnerable patients.