Wegovy, part of a new class of GLP-1-based anti-obesity treatments, offers several cardiovascular benefits based on data from the SELECT trial published last fall. of New England Medical Journal. The study followed 17,604 adults aged 45 and older who were overweight or obese and had cardiovascular disease but no history of diabetes. These adults received either Wegovy or a placebo for an average of three years.

In addition to a 20% overall lower risk of major cardiac events such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death, participants who took Wegovy had 28% fewer heart attacks (even if they were not taking heart medications such as statins). Among participants who were already taking it (to reduce cholesterol), there was a 7% reduction in nonfatal strokes and a 15% reduction in cardiovascular-related deaths.

There was one non-heart-related finding. Death rates from any cause were 19% lower in people who took Wegovy.

Obesity or being overweight affects more than 70% of American adults, and both are considered serious health problems that increase the risk of premature death and a variety of health problems, including heart attack and stroke. “It’s thought that if obesity is treated early, these cardiovascular benefits will start to appear even within the first three years,” Dr. Krumholz says. “This could mean even more benefits in the long run.”

At this time, no one can say for sure why semaglutide prevents heart disease. Scientists are still studying whether there are other factors besides weight loss. The SELECT study also does not show whether semaglutide can reduce cardiovascular risks associated with overweight and obesity in people who do not already have cardiovascular disease. “However, future studies may show that obese people, even without heart disease, have a significantly reduced risk of major cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Krumholz says.