Weight loss drug reduces heart attack and stoke risk, new study finds
A 'game changing' weight loss jab can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke in obese people, according to a new trial
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A "game changing" weight loss jab can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke in obese people, according to a new trial.
The makers of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk claim its most recent study shows it cuts risk of a cardiovascular event in overweight people with heart disease by a fifth.
The injection is already popular in the US and was approved for weight loss in the NHS in England in June.
As part of its five-year research, the company studied 17,604 adults over the age of 45 from across 41 countries.
The injection is already popular in the US and was approved for weight loss in the NHS in England in June
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Each patient had a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or over and established cardiovascular disease, with no history of diabetes.
According to the study, the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients given a 2.4mg once-weekly dose of Wegovy and standard care for the prevention of heart attacks or stroke, reduced by 20 per cent compared with those given a placebo drug.
Experts say while the findings still need to be fully reviewed, they agreed the results were potentially significant.
Novo Nordisk executive vice-president Martin Holst Lange said the injection had a clear medical benefit.
"People living with obesity have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease," he said.
"But to date, there are no approved weight management medications proven to deliver effective weight management while also reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.
"Therefore, we are very excited about the results from Select showing that semaglutide 2.4mg reduces the risk of cardiovascular events.
"Select is a landmark trial and has demonstrated that semaglutide 2.4mg has the potential to change how obesity is regarded and treated."
Experts say while the findings still need to be fully reviewed they agreed the results were potentially significant
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Wegovy is a weight-loss injection which is taken once a week and tricks the body into thinking it is already full - resulting in less food being consumed.
Professor Stephen O'Rahilly, director of the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit at the Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, said the results "have been long awaited and do not disappoint".
He added: "Simply put, a drug which acts to reduce body weight by targeting appetite, if taken long term by people who are overweight or obese, significantly reduces their risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack.
"The obvious conclusion of these findings is that we should view obesity as a medical condition, like high blood pressure, where effective and safe drug therapy can contribute to reducing serious adverse health outcomes."