The Environmental and Clinical Benefits of Using Anti-Obesity Medications in Heart Failure Treatment

Recent research highlights that using GLP-1 receptor agonists—medications commonly prescribed for obesity and diabetes—can significantly reduce the environmental footprint while improving clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure. These findings, presented at the 2025 European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid, reveal that treating heart failure patients with these drugs not only helps in managing their condition but also leads to fewer hospitalizations, lower calorie intake, and consequently, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, medical waste, and water consumption.

The study analyzed data from a meta-analysis involving four significant randomized controlled trials—SELECT, FLOW, STEP HFpEF, and STEPHFpEF DM—focusing on patients diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Participants treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists experienced fewer worsening heart failure events, with 54 events reported among 1,914 patients receiving the medication versus 86 events in 1,829 patients on placebo.

Environmental impact was assessed by estimating emissions associated with hospital stays, outpatient visits, and emergency care. The results indicated an annual reduction of approximately 0.25 kg of CO₂-equivalent emissions per patient on GLP-1 therapy, which translates to an enormous collective savings of over 2 billion kilograms of CO₂—equivalent to the emissions from thousands of flights or the annual carbon absorption capacity of 30 million trees.

Furthermore, patients on these medications showed around 695 kg of CO₂-equivalent lower emissions annually due to decreased calorie intake. Combining clinical and environmental data demonstrates that such treatments offer a dual benefit—enhancing patient health and contributing to planetary health.

Dr. Sarju Ganatra, a leader in sustainability within healthcare, emphasized the significance of these findings, noting that modest individual gains can lead to substantial collective environmental benefits. He advocates for integrating sustainability metrics into healthcare decision-making processes, including drug approval and procurement, to promote more environmentally conscious medical practices.

While the current models rely on estimates and existing data from prior trials, future efforts aim to validate these findings with real-world emissions data. Dr. Ganatra envisions a future where environmental impact assessments become a routine part of clinical research, ultimately guiding decisions that support both healthcare excellence and environmental sustainability.

This research underscores the importance of considering ecological impacts in medical treatment strategies, especially given that the healthcare sector accounts for nearly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The use of anti-obesity medications in heart failure management could be a vital step toward more sustainable medical care.