Recent studies published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology highlight the cardiovascular benefits of anti-obesity drugs and lifestyle interventions, offering new hope for patients with obesity and heart conditions.
Anti-obesity medications and lifestyle changes are demonstrating compelling cardiovascular benefits beyond helping individuals shed pounds, according to newly published research. These findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) and presented at the American Heart Association’s 2024 Scientific Sessions, providing new insights into the fight against heart disease.
The studies underscore the transformative potential of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies and lifestyle interventions in improving heart health.
“These studies reinforce the potential of GLP-1-based therapies not only to aid in weight loss but also to transform cardiac health, offering hope for patients living with obesity and cardiovascular disease,” Harlan M. Krumholz, editor-in-chief of JACC and the Harold H. Hines Jr. Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, said in a news release.
Tirzepatide Reduces Heart Size
One study focused on tirzepatide, a GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist, and its effects on heart structure and function in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity.
Approved by the FDA for weight loss, tirzepatide was shown to decrease left ventricular (LV) mass by 11 grams and paracardiac adipose tissue by 45 milliliters over 52 weeks in a subgroup of the SUMMIT trial participants.
These changes could potentially reduce heart failure incidents, suggesting broader benefits for patients beyond weight loss.
Semaglutide’s Impact on Post-Bypass Patients
In another important secondary analysis from the SELECT trial, patients who had undergone cardiac bypass surgery (CABG) and were either obese or overweight, but not diabetic, were studied to assess the impact of semaglutide. This patient group is at higher risk for recurrent ischemic events and heart failure.
The findings revealed that semaglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events more significantly in the CABG group than in the non-CABG group, highlighting its role in improving cardiac outcomes for high-risk individuals and lowering diabetes incidence.
Lifestyle Interventions and Cardiac Biomarkers
A third analysis from the Look AHEAD trial provided insights into how lifestyle interventions targeting weight loss affect cardiac biomarkers in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
The study found lifestyle changes led to sustained reductions in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) after one and four years, and a temporary rise in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at one year that attenuated by four years.
These biomarker changes are clinically relevant for predicting cardiovascular risk and heart failure, showcasing the broader health benefits of weight loss and active living.
Implications
The evolving science behind these studies highlights the significant potential of combining pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions to combat obesity and improve cardiovascular health outcomes.
“As the science evolves, we are achieving a deeper understanding of how weight loss, and treatment with these medications, can improve outcomes across diverse patient populations with obesity,” added Krumholz.