The weight-loss drug semaglutide—best known as the active ingredient in Wegovy—reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death, even when patients lose little or no weight, according to the largest study of its kind published in The Lancet.
The international SELECT trial, led by researchers at University College London, followed 17,604 adults aged 45 and over who were overweight or obese across 41 countries. Participants received either weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo. The drug was found to lower the risk of major heart events by 20%, regardless of the amount of weight lost.
However, reductions in waist circumference—an indicator of abdominal fat—were linked to stronger heart benefits, with roughly one-third of the protective effect tied to shrinking waistlines.
Lead author Prof John Deanfield said: “Abdominal fat is more dangerous for heart health than overall weight, so it’s not surprising to see a connection. But two-thirds of semaglutide’s heart benefits are independent of weight loss, suggesting it directly improves cardiovascular function.”
Researchers say the findings show semaglutide could help a broader group of patients, not just those with severe obesity, though they warn its side-effects must be carefully considered as its use expands.
