A groundbreaking analysis from the Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes (SELECT) trial reveals that semaglutide significantly reduces the risk of major cardiovascular incidents in adults with obesity or overweight who have pre-existing heart conditions but do not suffer from diabetes. This secondary research, unveiled at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain, demonstrates substantial reductions in adverse cardiac events within just six months of treatment. The findings emphasize semaglutide's potential as a powerful tool for preventing further cardiovascular complications in high-risk patients.
Dr. Jorge Plutzky, Director of Preventive Cardiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, highlighted the rapid onset of semaglutide's benefits. In the initial stages of treatment, even before significant weight loss or reaching the full dosage, the drug exhibited notable advantages in reducing cardiovascular risks. Originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes, semaglutide functions by mimicking incretin hormones, which assist in regulating blood sugar levels and promoting feelings of satiety.
This particular study involved an extensive cohort of 17,604 participants aged 45 years and older, predominantly male, across 804 sites in 41 countries. These individuals had a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m² or higher and were administered weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo. Notably, within the first three months, semaglutide users experienced a 38% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to those receiving the placebo. By six months, this reduction climbed to 41%. Remarkably, these outcomes occurred despite most participants not having lost considerable weight and many still adjusting to their full dose of semaglutide.
The mechanisms behind semaglutide's early success remain under investigation. Potential factors include its role in diminishing inflammation, stabilizing blood sugar and pressure levels, and directly influencing heart and vascular health. While these results are promising, it is crucial to recognize that SELECT participants already had established heart disease and were concurrently using other cardio-protective medications. Thus, semaglutide's benefits emerged as supplementary enhancements to existing treatments.
These findings underscore semaglutide's potential to revolutionize cardiovascular care for high-risk populations. Its ability to deliver swift and meaningful reductions in cardiovascular risks offers hope for managing and potentially preventing further complications among those with pre-existing heart conditions, marking a significant advancement in personalized medicine approaches.