How This Weight Loss Injectable Could Be the Key to Some Hearts

Wegovy (semaglutide) is transforming the treatment of obesity by becoming the first medicine approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to reduce cardiovascular risks in people who are overweight or obese. This breakthrough is based on the SELECT trial, a large-scale study demonstrating the dual benefits of Wegovy for weight loss and heart health.

What is Wegovy and how is it administered?

Wegovy, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimics a natural hormone to regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. It is administered by subcutaneous injection once a week, with the dose gradually increasing over 16 weeks to minimize potential side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. Patients use an auto-injector pen designed for convenience.

The SELECT trial: evidence of cardiovascular benefits

In the SELECT trial, more than 17,600 participants with cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 27 or higher (but without diabetes) were studied over a five-year period. Wegovy reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death, by 20% compared to a placebo.

Why is this important?

The approval of Wegovy marks a turning point in the treatment of obesity, addressing weight management and its critical link to cardiovascular disease. It offers new hope to obese people, delivering not only significant weight loss but also a tangible reduction in life-threatening heart risks.

For Wegovy and other available weight loss treatments:
Effective Weight Loss Solutions | Medetone

References:

Novo Nordisk. "Semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in obese and overweight people in the SELECT trial."
European Society of Cardiology. "Results of the SELECT trial." ESC Congress 2023.
Wilding JPH, et al. "Semaglutide 2.4 mg for cardiovascular risk reduction in obese patients." The New England Journal of Medicine