Two widely used weight-loss medications, semaglutide (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (e.g., Mounjaro, Zepbound), have been shown to lower the risk of hospitalisation and death in patients with a common form of heart failure by more than 40 %. This significant finding was revealed at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Researchers from Mass General Brigham in the US analysed healthcare records of over 90,000 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition frequently linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Both semaglutide and tirzepatide were associated with a greater than 40 % reduction in the combined outcome of hospitalisation due to heart failure and all-cause mortality, compared to sitagliptin. This established diabetes drug lacks cardiovascular benefits.
HFpEF is a type of heart failure where the heart’s pumping power remains intact, but the muscle walls are stiff, impairing its ability to fill with blood effectively. It is the most common form of heart failure, particularly among patients living with obesity and diabetes, in whom treatment options have traditionally been limited.
“This is a real breakthrough. We’ve known semaglutide and tirzepatide help with weight and blood sugar, but their ability to reduce hospital stays and death in heart failure patients is a game-changer,” said Dr Nils Krüger, lead author and clinical fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Beyond clinical trials, this study’s appeal lies in its vast scale and real-world relevance, far exceeding the sample sizes of earlier controlled studies. Researchers used insurance claims data across various US databases, expanding the patient cohort to be more representative of everyday clinical settings.
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide belong to a newer class of injectable drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar. Semaglutide is widely known under the brand names Ozempic (for diabetes) and Wegovy (for obesity), while tirzepatide is marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound. Clinical trials have shown these treatments can support double-digit weight loss percentages and dramatically improve blood glucose control. Beyond weight management, evidence is now building around their cardiovascular and kidney benefits, positioning them as potential multipurpose therapies, particularly important in patients living with both obesity and chronic conditions like Type-2 diabetes or heart failure.
While semaglutide and tirzepatide are currently used primarily for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes via private clinics, this new evidence could spark re-evaluation by national healthcare bodies. Heart failure, which currently affects millions in Britain, is a leading cause of hospital admission and NHS spending. If approved by NICE or endorsed by NHS England, GLP-1 treatments might soon play a broader therapeutic role beyond weight management.
Despite promising results, experts urge caution. Professional cardiology societies continue to emphasise the need for further trials before recommending routine use of GLP-1 drugs specifically for HFpEF. But if guidelines evolve, patients with obesity-linked heart failure could benefit significantly from expanded treatment options .
