Weight-loss drugs found to halve risk of heart patients dying early

Weight-loss drugs can reduce by half the risk of heart patients being hospitalized or dying early, according to the largest study of its kind.

- Andrew Gregory

Drugs known as GLP-1 agonists have been found to offer "dramatic benefits" to heart patients, significantly cutting their risk of falling seriously ill or dying prematurely from any cause.

The discovery, revealed at the world's largest heart conference in Madrid, means they could be given to heart patients to help them stay out of hospital and live longer.

The class of weight-loss drugs that includes semaglutide and tirzepatide mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which makes people feel full, and were initially developed to treat diabetes. In recent years evidence has emerged suggesting they could prove to be life-saving across a range of conditions beyond obesity.

Research presented at the European Society of Cardiology annual conference shows the weight-loss drugs could reduce the risk of people with heart conditions being hospitalized or dying early by as much as 58%.