Semaglutide cuts heart attack risk regardless of weight lost, study finds

The weight-loss drug semaglutide cuts the risk of heart attack or stroke regardless of how many kilograms people lose, the largest study of its kind has found.

- Andrew Gregory Health editor

However, shrinking waist size - a sign of less belly fat - was linked to better heart outcomes, according to the research.

The findings, published in the Lancet, suggest drugs could have wider benefits for patients beyond weight loss so should not be restricted to the most obese patients.

Researchers set out to examine the additional benefits of semaglutide, which is the main ingredient of the weight-loss drug Wegovy.

The trial, led by University College London (UCL), looked at whether people taking the drug went on to suffer a “major adverse cardiac event” - including heart disease deaths, heart attacks or strokes.