Can the weight loss jab Wegovy prevent heart attacks and strokes?
In the recent European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress, semaglutide, the active substance in weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy, dominated the discussion.
The ability of medicines like Wegovy that contain semaglutide to cut the risk of cardiovascular disease in particular was a hot topic. GP from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, Dr Sabah Salman, explains the medical science behind the claims.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is the brand name for a weight loss medication called semaglutide – the same active substance found in Ozempic. It works by suppressing appetite, making you feel fuller for longer, and slowing the rate at which food leaves your stomach.
When used alongside diet, physical activity and behavioural support, Wegovy users can achieve up to a 15% reduction in body weight over 68 weeks.
Who can take Wegovy?
It’s important to note that Wegovy is not intended as a quick fix for people who are otherwise healthy and are trying to lose weight for aesthetic reasons. Wegovy is designed for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, or 27 and above if they have a weight-related condition such as heart disease.
Wegovy is a powerful medication that can have side effects and complications, and misuse can be dangerous. When starting any medicated weight loss treatment, it’s important to use a safe prescriber who will ensure you meet the specific criteria and check your medical history.
How does being overweight impact heart health?
For patients who are concerned about their weight, one of their primary concerns is usually heart health. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. It is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK.
Carrying excess weight is a well-known risk factor for CVD. This includes conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrest. Therefore, weight loss is often recommended as one of the strategies to reduce these risks.
Can Wegovy benefit heart health?
Recently, there has been significant interest in the potential of Wegovy to improve heart health with several studies to back up these claims.
The most compelling evidence comes from a large study published in 2023. The study involved around 17,600 participants and found that semaglutide injections reduced major cardiovascular events like heart attacks, cardiac arrest and strokes by 20% over three years.
Based on these promising results, in June 2024, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Wegovy as a treatment for preventing heart problems in overweight and obese adults.
Again, it’s important to stress that Wegovy isn’t a magic solution. The study noted that some who took part in the trial experienced side effects that meant they couldn’t continue taking the medication. Side effects can include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
How else can CVD be prevented?
A healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of CVD. Lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, heaving a balanced diet, exercising regularly and cutting down on alcohol, as well as maintaining a healthy weight, can reduce your risk of developing CVD.
What’s the bottom line?
The bottom line is that studies suggest semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke. As such, it is now the first weight loss drug approved in the UK as a preventative treatment for those with established CVD.
GPs in the UK will be able to prescribe Wegovy to high-risk CVD patients once the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approves its use for this treatment – a project which is currently underway.
