Semaglutide medications are mostly discussed in the context of type 2 diabetes management and weight loss; however, there is growing evidence to suggest that these medications may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Originally developed to help treat type 2 diabetes, semaglutide medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have demonstrated efficacy in helping patients with (and without) type 2 diabetes lose weight. Semaglutide medications are in a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). GLP-1 RAs are a synthetic form of the naturally occurring glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist hormone, which is implicated in appetite regulation. GLP-1 RAs also delay stomach emptying, which means you feel fuller for longer. Although semaglutide medications are mostly discussed in the context of type 2 diabetes management and weight loss, there is growing evidence to suggest that these medications may also promote heart health and reduce one’s risk of cardiovascular disease for patients without type 2 diabetes.
Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
The American Heart Association characterizes heart disease as the buildup of plaque in arteries, which results in the narrowing of the arteries. This narrowing, in turn, makes it more difficult for blood to flow to and from the heart. Heart attacks and strokes are examples of cardiovascular disease while hypertension (high blood pressure) is a risk factor of heart disease.
So how do semaglutide medications reduce your risk of heart disease?
- Lowering blood pressure. Semaglutide medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been shown to lower blood pressure in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. As patients lose weight, there is less stiffening, or vasoconstriction, of their arteries, which makes it easier for blood to flow. When vasodilation (widening of your arteries), occurs, your arteries widen, blood flows more freely, and blood pressure is reduced.
- Weight loss. Because semaglutide medications are effective for weight loss, they can reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and insulin resistance.
- Lipids are fatty compounds found in the body that serve a range of functions. They move and store energy, absorb vitamins, and make hormones. The most familiar lipids are cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides. Semaglutide medications have been shown to lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol), increase HDL (“good” cholesterol), and lower triglycerides in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is important because high cholesterol or elevated triglyceride levels are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
I am an adult with obesity, but do not have type 2 diabetes. Will semaglutide medications reduce my risk of cardiovascular disease?
While more research is needed, early research shows promising results. In 2023, a randomized control trial, Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in People with Overweight and Obesity (SELECT), found evidence for lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adults who did not have type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide medications can help adults with obesity and with and without type 2 diabetes reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. While these medications are helpful, they are just one prong in the multi-pronged approach to weight loss. Because obesity is a chronic disease with multiple causes, it needs to be managed with a multi-prong approach that includes lifestyle changes, e.g., diet and exercise, behavior modification, social support, and, for some, semaglutide medications.
Before starting any change in diet or exercise program be sure to consult with your health care provider to determine the changes that are best for you.
About the Author: Dr. Dawn M. Sweet has over 20 years of experience in the field of communication. Sweet has given several invited talks to and workshops for academic and private sector audiences on the role of nonverbal and verbal communication in achieving positive outcomes and mitigating bias. Her research has been published in several top ranked peer-review journals, and it has been featured on NPR’s River to River / All Things Considered, Buzzfeed, and Science Daily. Her research has also been used to inform expert testimony.
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