Obesity Drug Reduces Heart Attacks & Strokes - News Directory 3

Obesity Drug Reduces Heart Attacks & Strokes

March 31, 2025 Catherine Williams Health
News Context
At a glance
  • Semaglutide, a drug already used to treat diabetes and obesity, may soon be recognized as a key medication for patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • The findings are supported by the results of two large international studies involving more than 35,000 participants.
  • According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a semaglutide pill reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac-related death by 14% in individuals...
Original source: unionesarda.it

Semaglutide Shows Promise in reducing Cardiovascular Risks

Table of Contents

Semaglutide, a drug already used to treat diabetes and obesity, may soon be recognized as a key medication for patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. recent studies suggest the drug could be highly effective in combating heart-related ailments.

Landmark Studies Confirm Benefits

The findings are supported by the results of two large international studies involving more than 35,000 participants.

According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a semaglutide pill reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac-related death by 14% in individuals with Type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk. A separate analysis, the Score study, found that an injectable form of the drug protected the hearts of overweight or obese individuals without blood sugar issues, decreasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death by as much as 57%.

The studies were initially presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Congress.

SOUL Study Details

The first study, known as the SOUL Multicenter International Study, involved 9,650 participants with Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and/or chronic renal failure. Participants were treated with either oral semaglutide or a placebo and monitored for five years.The semaglutide therapy reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac death by 14%. Pasquale Perrone Filardi, president of the Italian Cardiology Society (SIC), stated that the study demonstrates a clear cardiovascular protection effect. He added that the semaglutide pill improves heart health, protects blood vessels, and prevents the progression of atherosclerosis. Filardi also noted its higher efficacy compared to other oral therapies in reducing glycated hemoglobin values and body weight, leading to considerable protection for the cardiovascular system.

FDA and EMA Consideration

Based on these findings, regulators with the food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have been asked to consider expanding the approved uses of semaglutide to include the reduction of cardiovascular risk.

Ciro Dollofi, president of the Italian Federation of Cardiology (FIC), emphasized the importance of therapies that address both diabetes and cardiovascular disease, noting that one in three people with diabetes also have a cardiovascular condition. Dollofi stated that the mechanism of action and effects of oral semaglutide make it a gold standard treatment for reducing cardiovascular risk in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Score Study Results

The Score study involved 27,963 adults with established cardiovascular disease who were overweight or obese but did not have Type 2 diabetes. These patients were treated with 2.4 mg of injectable semaglutide. Over an average follow-up period of about seven months, researchers observed a 57% relative reduction in heart attack, stroke, and death from all causes.When considering the relative risk of hospitalizations or revascularization procedures, the reduction was 45%.

Semaglutide Shows Promise in Reducing Cardiovascular Risks: Your questions Answered

Are you concerned about heart health and looking for the latest details on potential treatments? Semaglutide, a medication currently used for diabetes and obesity, is showing promising results in reducing cardiovascular risks. This article will provide answers to your most pressing questions.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Recent studies indicate that it could also be a beneficial treatment for individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

How can Semaglutide benefit Heart Health?

Semaglutide is showing promise in protecting heart health. Recent study results suggest that it can considerably reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.

What are the Key Findings from the Landmark Studies?

The article references two large international studies that support semaglutide’s cardiovascular benefits.These studies involved over 35,000 participants. Key findings include:

Reduced Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A semaglutide pill reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac-related death by 14% in individuals with Type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk.

Protection for Overweight/Obese Individuals: The injectable form of semaglutide decreased the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death by up to 57% in overweight or obese individuals without blood sugar issues.

What is the SOUL Study?

The SOUL (Multicenter International) Study involved 9,650 participants with Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and/or chronic renal failure. Participants were treated with either oral semaglutide or a placebo and monitored for five years. The semaglutide therapy reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac death by 14%.

What Did Experts Say About the SOUL Study?

Experts like Pasquale Perrone Filardi,president of the Italian cardiology Society (SIC),stated that the SOUL study demonstrates a clear cardiovascular protection effect. Filardi added that the semaglutide pill improves heart health, protects blood vessels, and prevents the progression of atherosclerosis. He also noted its higher efficacy compared to other oral therapies in reducing glycated hemoglobin values and body weight.

What is the Significance of the Score study Results?

The Score study involved 27,963 adults with established cardiovascular disease who were overweight or obese but did not have Type 2 diabetes. These patients were treated with 2.4 mg of injectable semaglutide. Researchers observed a 57% relative reduction in heart attack, stroke, and death from all causes over an average follow-up period of about seven months.

Are Regulatory Bodies Considering Expanding Semaglutide’s Uses?

Yes, based on the findings of these studies, regulators with the food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have been asked to consider expanding the approved uses of semaglutide to include the reduction of cardiovascular risk.

What is the connection Between Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Semaglutide?

Ciro Dollofi, president of the Italian Federation of Cardiology (FIC), emphasized the importance of therapies that address both diabetes and cardiovascular disease, noting that one in three people with diabetes also have a cardiovascular condition. He stated that the mechanism of action and effects of oral semaglutide make it a gold standard treatment for reducing cardiovascular risk in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Summary of Key Semaglutide Study Results

Here’s a quick overview of the key findings from the studies mentioned:

| Study | Participants | Semaglutide Form | Key Outcomes |

|—————–|———————————————————|——————-|———————————————————————————————–|

| SOUL Study | 9,650 with Type 2 diabetes, CVD and/or chronic renal failure | Oral | 14% reduction in heart attack, stroke, and cardiac death. |

| score Study | 27,963 overweight or obese with established CVD,without type 2 diabetes | Injectable | 57% relative reduction in heart attack,stroke,and death from all causes.|

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