close
close
hsuses

A study shows that a weight loss vaccination could reduce the risk of heart attack

Theo

image source, Getty Images

image description, The drug is administered through an injection into the skin and makes people feel fuller, more satisfied and eat less

  • Author, Thomas Mackintosh
  • Role, BBC News

Anti-obesity vaccinations could reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people even if they don’t lose much weight, according to an analysis of a study funded by a drug maker.

Researchers looked at semaglutide – an NHS prescription drug that suppresses appetite and is sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic.

They said the weekly vaccinations could also benefit the cardiovascular health of millions of adults.

The latest results have not yet appeared in a scientific journal, but were presented at a conference.

Prof John Deanfield, who led the work, said semaglutide could have a positive impact on blood sugar, blood pressure or inflammation, as well as direct effects on the heart muscle and blood vessels.

The study, conducted by University College London (UCL) with 17,604 over-44s from 41 countries, had already shown benefits for the heart.

Now, some data from the same Novo Nordisk-funded Select study suggests there are benefits regardless of a person’s starting weight and how much they’ve lost.

“Big breakthrough”

Speaking ahead of the study’s presentation at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Italy, Prof Deanfield said the findings had “important clinical implications”.

He said it was an important discovery – and compared it to the introduction of cholesterol-fighting pills called statins in the 1990s.

“We finally discovered that there is a class of drugs that would change the biology of this disease to the benefit of many people. This was a major breakthrough and changed the practice of cardiology.”

“We now have this class of drugs that could transform many chronic diseases of aging equally,” he claimed.

Wegovy has the same ingredient as Ozempic – a diabetes drug considered Hollywood’s “skinny jab” of choice.

However, experts have previously warned that it is not a quick fix or replacement for healthy eating and exercise and that it should only be offered under medical supervision.

Common side effects include nausea or stomach upset, bloating, and bloating.

And studies suggest that people may regain weight if they stop treatment.

Semaglutide mimics the hormone GLP-1, which makes people feel full and less hungry.

It must be prescribed by a doctor – for overweight or obese patients, who then inject themselves once a week with pre-filled pens.

Risk reduction

The analysis looked at how long it took patients to suffer major cardiovascular events – such as heart attack or stroke – or whether they developed heart failure.

After 20 weeks of taking the drug, 62% of patients had lost more than 5% of their body weight, compared with 10% in a placebo group.

However, the risk reduction for heart attacks, strokes or heart failure in patients who lost more than 5% of their body weight was similar to those who lost or gained less than 5%.

Prof Deanfield said: “Around half of the patients I see in my cardiovascular practice have a weight equivalent to the Select trial and are likely to benefit.”

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Prof Deanfield said the drug has a “potentially important place” in the treatment of obesity.

“There are many people who are overweight or obese and have difficulty improving their weight, and for that reason alone, these drugs offer an important clinical opportunity,” he said.

“But these are medications that will also improve their underlying health problems. This is actually pretty exciting.”

Get in touch

How have you been affected by the issues raised in this story?

Related Posts