The new study involved 616 people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a form of heart failure that occurs when the heart is unable to relax properly between each heartbeat, but is able to pump at a normal cardiac output, or ejection fraction. All participants were obese and he also had type 2 diabetes.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either weekly semaglutide injections or an inactive placebo. People in the semaglutide group started on the lowest dose and then increased to a maintenance dose by week 16.

After following participants for a year, the researchers found that those in the semaglutide group lost more weight and had greater relief from symptoms related to heart failure than those in the placebo group.

This includes significant improvements in quality of life and daily functioning, and being able to walk further on the 6-minute walk test.

These physical improvements allow people to more easily walk to their neighbor’s house or to the local grocery store, said Andrew Choi, M.D., associate professor of medicine and radiology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health. He said it would be. He is involved in research.

Lack of exercise capacity and physical activity can contribute to symptoms of heart failure, says Dr. Yuming Nee, a cardiologist and lipidologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. he pointed out. It is worsened by obesity.

“We’ve known for a long time that structured exercise improves outcomes in heart failure,” said Nie, who was not involved in the new study. “So it’s not surprising that this drug has an effect on weight loss and may contribute to reducing the symptoms of heart failure.”

But while weight loss played a big role in relieving people’s symptoms, Nee said the drug may contribute in other ways, such as reducing inflammation, and changes in biomarkers seen in the study. This is what some of them suggest.

This includes significant reductions in C-reactive protein (CRP) and NT-proBNP levels in people receiving semaglutide. CRP levels are associated with inflammation and can be an indicator of your risk of developing cardiovascular problems. NT-proBNP is a measure of heart failure severity and can be elevated in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

The researchers agreed, writing that their findings “suggest that the mechanisms of semaglutide’s effects may extend beyond weight loss.” This may be due to the drug’s effects on the heart, blood vessels, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

People receiving semaglutide lost weight as expected, but the weight loss was 40% lower than that seen in previous trials in people without diabetes but with heart failure.

Choi said it would be expected that people with diabetes would lose so little weight. Other hypoglycemic drugs patients were taking, such as insulin or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, could “blunt” the weight loss effects of semaglutide, he told Healthline. .

Dr. Wright said the study “raises the important question of whether administration of GLP-1 receptor agonists would have similar effects in people with heart failure but without obesity or diabetes.” . This will need to be investigated in future clinical trials.

The average age of study participants was 69 years, and almost half were women. Almost two-thirds had a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, and on average she had had diabetes for eight years.

In addition to diuretics, most participants were receiving other standard treatments such as renin-angiotensin system blockers and beta-blockers. Some were also taking mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists or SGLT2 inhibitors.

Approximately 15% of people in each group discontinued study treatment early. Additionally, 80% of those in the semaglutide group who completed the study were still taking weekly maintenance doses.

There were 18 heart failure-related hospitalizations or emergency visits in the placebo group compared with seven in the semaglutide group.

Certain adverse events, such as hypoglycemia and diabetic retinopathy, occurred less frequently in the semaglutide group. These are both complications of her type 2 diabetes.

Overall, 10.6% of participants in the semaglutide group discontinued treatment prematurely due to adverse events, compared with 8.2% in the placebo group. This includes gastrointestinal disorders, which are known side effects of GLP-1.

The study has several limitations, including the small number of participants and the researchers only tracking the participants for one year. Further research is needed to validate the results.

but, “[the study] “Our findings strongly support that GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, should be considered an important ‘fifth pillar’ of pharmacological treatment for patients with heart failure and obesity,” Wright said. he told Healthline. ”

Ni agrees that weight loss improves function and quality of life for heart failure patients, but questions whether drugs like semaglutide should be recommended to all patients with the disease. Masu.

“I always tell my patients that weight loss can reduce the symptoms of heart failure, but there is no need for drugs,” he told Healthline. “I focus on a healthy lifestyle (exercise, diet, and natural weight loss) as a means to improve heart failure outcomes.”

Choi said that while the use of semaglutide is increasing, the drug should currently only be used for approved indications, such as weight loss, treating diabetes and reducing heart-related risks in certain people. he emphasized.

“Additionally, adhere to a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and gradual dose titration. [of semaglutide] It is important to avoid negative side effects,” he said.

Researchers recruited more than 600 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), obesity, and type 2 diabetes. They randomly assigned people to receive weekly injections of semaglutide (Wegovy) or an inert placebo.

After one year, people receiving semaglutide had significant improvements in quality of life and physical function, in addition to reductions in key biomarkers related to cardiac function. There were also fewer cases of worsening symptoms requiring medical attention or hospitalization.

People with heart failure and type 2 diabetes lost less weight with semaglutide compared to early trial participants without diabetes. According to the researchers, this suggests that semaglutide has heart-related benefits beyond weight loss.