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Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy weight-loss drug has been proven to have heart protective benefits, as indicated by new data presented at a major medical conference. The results suggest that the medication’s cardiovascular advantages are more than just the outcome of weight loss.
During the American Heart Association annual scientific meeting, Novo Nordisk revealed results from the Select trial, demonstrating that the drug, which has already shown effectiveness in helping patients lose up to 15% of their body weight, also reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease-related death. This information indicates that Wegovy offers additional health benefits beyond weight loss alone.
Wegovy was found to significantly reduce the risk of non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, and heart-related death by 20% when compared to a placebo. These findings are especially significant as they appeared even before patients began to lose weight, suggesting that the heart protection from the drug is not solely due to weight loss.
According to the study researchers, the cardiovascular benefits of Wegovy lie in its impact on associated risk factors such as inflammation, blood pressure, and blood sugar control, which all play a crucial role in heart health.
Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, was found to decrease levels of inflammation and was well-tolerated by patients, with the main side effects being gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting. Novo Nordisk aims to have the drug’s label updated to include these heart benefits, with the U.S. approval expected in the first half of next year.
We look forward to the approval of Novo Nordisk’s application for Wegovy’s updated label to reflect its significant heart protection benefits, allowing patients to benefit further from this effective weight-loss medication.
