The weight-loss drug semaglutide can significantly lower the risk of heart attack or stroke, even in patients who lose little or no weight, according to a large global study published in The Lancet.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) analysed data from 17,604 people aged 45 and older who were overweight or obese. Half received weekly injections of semaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy – while the other half were given a placebo.
Results showed that semaglutide reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death from heart disease by 20%, regardless of the amount of weight lost.
The study also found that smaller waistlines, rather than overall weight loss, were linked to better heart outcomes. Around one-third of the heart benefit appeared to be explained by reductions in waist circumference, suggesting that losing abdominal fat plays an important role.
Lead author Prof John Deanfield said: “Abdominal fat is more dangerous for cardiovascular health than overall weight. However, two-thirds of the heart benefits remain unexplained, which suggests semaglutide directly protects the heart.”
He added that the results challenge current restrictions on who can access the drug. “You don’t have to lose a lot of weight or have a very high BMI to benefit. If your goal is to prevent heart disease, limiting use to only the most obese patients doesn’t make sense.”
The study highlights that semaglutide could have broader medical uses beyond weight loss, though researchers caution that potential side effects must still be carefully monitored.
