The weight-loss drug semaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy – reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes regardless of how much weight patients lose, according to a large international study published in The Lancet.
The trial, led by University College London (UCL), involved 17,604 adults aged 45 and over who were overweight or obese. Participants received either weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo. The results showed a 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events – including heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease deaths – among those who took semaglutide, even when weight loss was minimal.
Researchers found that while smaller waistlines were associated with better heart health — about one-third of the benefits were linked to reduced abdominal fat — most of the drug’s protective effect came from other mechanisms.
Lead author Prof John Deanfield of UCL said: “Abdominal fat is more dangerous for heart health than overall weight, but two-thirds of semaglutide’s heart benefits remain unexplained. This suggests it directly affects heart disease and ageing processes.”
The study’s findings challenge current prescribing limits, suggesting semaglutide’s heart benefits extend beyond people with severe obesity. Deanfield added that restricting the drug only to those with high BMIs “doesn’t make sense” if the goal is to prevent cardiovascular disease, though he cautioned that side effects must still be carefully monitored.
