UCI Irvine Study Finds Millions May Benefit from Reduced Cardiac Events With New Weight Control Drugs

While the drug is costly to obtain by some patients, the cost savings associated with fewer doctor and hospital visits due to obesity and obesity-related diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases (especially heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure) could be substantial.  

WeightControl.com Interview with:

Nathan D. Wong, PhD, FACC, FAHA
Professor and Director
Heart Disease Prevention Program
Division of Cardiology, UC Irvine and
and UC Irvine and Radiology and Public Health at UC Irvine

Nathan D. Wong, PhD, FACC, FAHA Professor and Director Heart Disease Prevention Program Division of Cardiology, UC Irvine and and UC Irvine and Radiology and Public Health at UC Irvine
Dr. Wong

WeightControl.com:  What is the background for this study? 

Response: Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg given as an injection once weekly) has been shown in the previously reported STEP 1 trial to result in on average a 15% body weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity. It also beneficially improves other cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure and cholesterol levels.   We applied the eligibility and findings of the STEP 1 trial to the US population-representative National Health and Nutrition Examination survey and estimated that 93 million US adults with overweight or obesity would be potentially eligible for the drug based on the STEP 1 eligibility criteria.  

Continue reading “UCI Irvine Study Finds Millions May Benefit from Reduced Cardiac Events With New Weight Control Drugs”

Heart Benefits of Wegovy (semaglutide) Extend Beyond Weight Loss

This trial found that among the participants taking Wegovy the incidence of MACE was 20% lower than those with usual care. 

WeightControl.com Interview with:
Shauna Levy MD, MS, FACS. FASMBS, DABOM
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
Division of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Director of Bariatric Surgery
American Board of Obesity Medicine, Diplomate
Instagram @tulane_bariatric_center
Tulaneweightloss.com

WeightControl.com:  What is the background for this study? 

Response: The SELECT trial evaluated over 17,000 patients with a history of overweight or obesity and cardiovascular disease. They randomized patients to usual care versus Wegovy (semaglutide), which is an anti-obesity medication.  It is important to note that none of the participants had diabetes. 

They evaluated the incidence of Major Adverse Cardiaovascular Events (MACE) for up to 5 years for all participants.  

Continue reading “Heart Benefits of Wegovy (semaglutide) Extend Beyond Weight Loss”