Wegovy (semaglutide) is widely known as a weight loss medication, but research increasingly shows that its benefits extend well beyond managing body weight. One of the most important areas of interest is its impact on cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in the UK, and people living with obesity are at higher risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and heart failure [1; 2]. By reducing body weight and improving metabolic health, Wegovy plays a role in lowering these risks, but its effects appear to go further than weight management alone.
Cardiovascular risk reduction
Clinical studies have demonstrated that Wegovy can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with obesity or overweight who also have existing cardiovascular disease. A recent large-scale trial showed that participants taking semaglutide experienced fewer heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from cardiovascular causes compared with those receiving a placebo [3]. This has positioned Wegovy not just as a weight management tool but as a medication with wider benefits for long-term heart health.
Beyond weight loss: the mechanisms
While weight loss itself plays a central role in improving cardiovascular outcomes, semaglutide also influences the body in ways that go beyond changes on the scales. Research indicates that it can reduce levels of inflammation, which is increasingly recognised as a factor in cardiovascular disease [4]. In addition, semaglutide improves insulin sensitivity and helps regulate blood sugar, which lowers the strain on the cardiovascular system [5]. These effects combined create a more favourable environment for heart health, making the benefits of Wegovy greater than weight loss alone.
Improvements in symptoms and function
Beyond reducing risk, studies also suggest that semaglutide may improve day-to-day cardiovascular function and symptoms for some patients [6]. Improvements in exercise capacity, blood pressure, and cholesterol profiles have been reported in people taking the medication. For individuals with obesity-related heart failure, early findings suggest that semaglutide could ease breathlessness and fatigue, helping to improve overall quality of life [7; 8]. Although research in this area is still ongoing, the results so far are promising and add to the growing understanding of how GLP-1 receptor agonists support cardiovascular wellbeing.
A holistic approach to health
At Get A Drip, we believe in supporting our patients not only with weight management but also with the wider health benefits that come with it. Wegovy is offered within our weight loss programmes, where treatment is carefully monitored by our prescribers, nutritionists, and healthcare providers. The aim is always to take a holistic approach — combining the medication with guidance on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management — so that improvements in cardiovascular health are part of an overall journey towards better wellbeing and longevity.
References
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/
[2] https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000973
[6] https://www.wegovy.com/about-wegovy/cardiovascular-events.html
[7] DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
[8] DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183