The weight-loss drug semaglutide, best known as the active ingredient in Wegovy, significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes — even for patients who lose little or no weight, according to a major new study.
Published in The Lancet, the research found that semaglutide lowered the risk of major cardiovascular events by 20%, regardless of how many kilograms participants shed. The trial, led by University College London, followed 17,604 adults aged 45 and older who were overweight or obese across 41 countries. Half received weekly semaglutide injections, while the rest were given a placebo.
While the heart-protective effects were independent of total weight loss, reductions in waist size—a marker of lower abdominal fat—were linked to stronger cardiovascular benefits. Researchers estimated that about one-third of the heart protection came from smaller waistlines, but two-thirds were due to other mechanisms.
Lead author Prof John Deanfield said: “Abdominal fat is especially harmful to the heart, but the drug’s benefits go beyond weight reduction. It seems to directly influence cardiovascular and ageing-related diseases.”
The findings suggest that semaglutide could be prescribed more broadly, not just for patients with high body mass indexes (BMIs). However, experts cautioned that potential side effects must still be carefully weighed as use expands to a wider population.
