Semaglutide Reduces Cardiovascular Risk Across BMI Spectrum, Large Study Finds

A major study led by University College London and published in The Lancet has found that the weight-loss drug semaglutide significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes by 20%, regardless of the amount of weight lost or baseline obesity levels. The research, which involved over 17,600 overweight or obese participants across 41 countries, showed that the drug's cardioprotective benefits are only partially explained by weight loss, particularly reductions in abdominal fat; approximately one-third of the benefit was linked to waist circumference reduction while the remaining two-thirds suggest other protective mechanisms. These findings challenge the notion that semaglutide's heart benefits are solely due to weight loss and imply that the drug has direct cardiovascular effects, indicating potential benefits for a broader patient population including those who are mildly overweight. Experts emphasize that the drug's heart benefits are independent of initial body mass index and that even those with BMI scores around 27 experienced similar risk reductions to severely obese individuals. The study was funded by Novo Nordisk, the maker of semaglutide, and highlights a need to reconsider restrictions on prescribing the drug based solely on obesity severity. This research underscores the multifaceted role of semaglutide in cardiovascular health beyond its weight-loss effects.