Wegovy Associated with Reduced Heart Risks Compared to Similar Medications, New Study Finds

Recent research indicates that the weight-loss medication Wegovy may offer greater cardiovascular protection than comparable drugs. Developed by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and has demonstrated potential in lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death among individuals with obesity.

The study analyzed data from over 21,000 patients who had obesity and existing heart disease but did not have diabetes. Participants taking Wegovy experienced a 57% reduction in heart-related risks compared to those on tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's obesity drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound. Findings were presented at a major medical conference but are considered preliminary as they have not yet undergone peer review or been officially published.

Ludovic Helfgott, head of product and portfolio strategy at Novo Nordisk, emphasized that semaglutide remains the only GLP-1-based medication with proven cardiovascular benefits for individuals managing obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The study utilized real-world medical records rather than controlled clinical trial data. It was observed that patients taking 2.4 mg of Wegovy had only about 0.1% experiencing cardiovascular events, compared to 0.4% of those on tirzepatide, during treatment durations exceeding 30 days. Even after excluding patients who paused medication for more than 30 days, Wegovy users still showed a 29% lower risk of adverse heart events.

The findings were shared at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid. Eli Lilly had not responded to these results as of the report's publication.

For additional information on GLP-1 medications, visit the Cleveland Clinic's resource on GLP-1 agonists. These insights highlight the evolving landscape of obesity treatment and cardiovascular risk management.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-wegovy-linked-heart-similar-drugs.html