Produced by: BusinessToday Desk
A breakthrough Lancet study reveals that semaglutide — the weight-loss drug behind Wegovy — protects the heart even if users don’t shed major kilos. The benefits go far beyond the scale.
Researchers found semaglutide cuts the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiac death by 20%, regardless of how much weight is lost. It’s the first proof that heart health can improve independently of visible fat loss.
Interestingly, smaller waists still mattered. About one-third of the heart benefits were linked to reduced waist circumference — a sign that belly fat, not overall weight, plays a bigger role in heart disease.
The study followed 17,604 adults across 41 countries—half receiving semaglutide injections, half on a placebo. Results were consistent across ages, weights, and health profiles, showing universal heart protection.
Lead researcher Prof. John Deanfield explained that abdominal fat is more toxic to the heart than total body weight, driving inflammation and artery damage — which semaglutide seems to calm down directly.
Two-thirds of the heart benefits weren’t explained by weight or waist size. This suggests semaglutide might act directly on heart and vascular tissues, reducing inflammation or improving metabolism at a cellular level.
The findings challenge how doctors prescribe the drug. Semaglutide may help even people with a BMI of 27—barely overweight—redefining who qualifies for treatment aimed at cardiovascular protection.
“This isn’t just a weight-loss drug,” said researchers. “It’s a medicine that targets diseases of ageing.” That insight could transform how cardiologists view obesity medications — from cosmetic fixes to clinical lifesavers.
While promising, experts urge caution. As the pool of potential users widens, monitoring for side effects — nausea, fatigue, and rare digestive issues — becomes crucial to balance benefit with safety.