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May 15, 2025 – New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2025 reveals that semaglutide, a medication commonly prescribed for weight management, may significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events well before patients experience substantial weight loss.
Early Cardiovascular Benefits Identified
Data from the SELECT trial, involving over 17,600 participants with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease (CVD), showed that semaglutide was associated with a 41% reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) within just six months of starting treatment. Remarkably, these benefits appeared before patients reached the full 2.4 mg weekly dose or achieved meaningful weight reduction.
“The hazard ratios for cardiovascular events were below 1 even before significant weight loss or the top dose was reached,” explained Dr. Donna Ryan, professor emerita at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and a member of the SELECT steering committee. “Almost immediately, the risk is less on semaglutide than on placebo.”
Key Findings from the SELECT Trial
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In the first six months, 67 MACEs occurred in the semaglutide group compared to 113 in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.59).
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There was a 53% reduction in cardiovascular deaths and a 43% reduction in nonfatal heart attacks among those taking semaglutide.
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The reduction in nonfatal strokes was not statistically significant.
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The first significant reduction in cardiovascular events was observed as early as 20 days after starting treatment.
Not Just About Weight Loss
While semaglutide is known for its weight loss benefits, the early cardiovascular protection observed in this study appears to be independent of weight loss. By week four, patients had lost only about 1.1% of their body weight, and by week twelve, the difference was 3.6% compared to placebo.
Dr. Jason Halford, head of the School of Psychology at the University of Leeds, commented, “This suggests the benefits are not mediated by weight loss. There must be another mechanism, possibly a reduction in inflammation, since obesity is an inflammatory disease.”
Implications for Treatment
These findings could influence how doctors treat patients with obesity and cardiovascular disease, potentially offering early protection against heart attacks and strokes even before weight loss goals are reached. Researchers suggest further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms behind these benefits and how semaglutide might interact with other cardiovascular therapies.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on preliminary research findings presented at a medical conference. The results have not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal. Patients should not make any changes to their medication or treatment plan without consulting their healthcare provider.
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