GLP-1s May Cut Heart Disease Risk by 13%

And the List Goes On: Research continues to uncover potential benefits of GLP-1 medications, beyond weight loss and diabetes management. Studies suggest they may support cognitive health, help treat substance-use disorders, and reduce systemic inflammation. And now, a new large-scale meta-analysis indicates they may also significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and premature death.

The Study: Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK reviewed 11 large international studies on GLP-1’s, including data from over 90,000 adults at high cardiovascular risk. The participants were monitored for an average of three years. Those taking a GLP-1 were far less likely to experience a major cardiovascular event than participants who took a placebo, reducing the risk of these events — including heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death — by 13%. 

The Takeaway: This review supports existing research on GLP-1 drugs and heart health. But taking them comes with risks (and potential side effects) alongside the benefits. Whether or not a GLP-1 is right for you, there are proven ways to protect your heart health today, like eating a heart-healthy diet, managing stress, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and prioritizing sleep.

Keep in Mind: The review didn’t determine what dose you’d need to take to get cardiovascular benefits. There was also variation among the study designs and the participants’ baseline cardiovascular risk.