Medical innovation has really give people a shot at better heart health.
About 805,000 people in the US have heart attacks every year, with one occurring every 40 seconds — and an alarming increase in those under 45.
But new blockbuster medications that have taken the health world by storm could offer protection from adverse cardiovascular events, including strokes and premature death, over time.
Sixty-one percent of American adults will likely have some type of heart disease in the next 30 years as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity become more common, according to the American Heart Association.
However, new research has found a potential solution in the form of glucagon-like peptide‑1 receptor agonists — also known as GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
The study, published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology – Endocrinology Reports, reviewed data from more than 90,000 patients enrolled in large-scale studies.
Those who took a GLP-1 drug showed 13% less risk of experiencing heart attacks and other major cardiovascular events over the course of nearly three years of use.
They were also less likely to die prematurely from any cause and had lower rates of non-fatal heart attacks and strokes.
These effects were seen in those with high cardiovascular risk, type 2 diabetes, obesity or existing heart disease.
One of the most notable findings from this research was its focus on the drug’s long-term benefits.
“This is the most comprehensive review to date of long‑term cardiovascular outcome trials for GLP‑1 receptor agonists,” lead author Dr. Simon Cork said in a press release.
“We know that one of the factors that weighs on people’s minds when considering going onto these drugs is the potential long-term side effects,” he said.
The researchers also found the benefits to heart health were consistent across various drugs and patients.
These results could provide important context for future clinical practice and health policy.
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and more have attracted widespread notoriety not just for their effectiveness in managing conditions like obesity, but also as potential treatments for additional conditions.
Other studies have shown these drugs can cut cancer risk in half, decrease the risk of developing dementia and even treat substance abuse.
GLP-1 drugs have serious potential for heart health beyond their current FDA-approved use, as both type 2 diabetes and excess weight are factors that can increase the risk of deadly heart disease.
“Using them earlier and more widely across populations could help prevent thousands of serious cardiovascular events,” Cork said.
