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Heart attack

Semaglutide Rapidly Reduces Heart Attacks and Other Serious Cardiovascular Complications

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to a secondary analysis of the landmark Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes (SELECT) trial, semaglutide can rapidly reduce heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular complications in adults with overweight or obesity who have pre-existing cardiovascular disease but not diabetes. The analysis found that semaglutide was associated with a 38% reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) within the first 3 months compared to placebo, and a 41% reduced risk of MACE within the first 6 months.

Key Takeaways:

  • Semaglutide, a GLP-1 medication, rapidly reduces heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular complications in adults with overweight or obesity who have pre-existing cardiovascular disease but not diabetes.
  • The SELECT trial, which involved 17,604 adults, found that semaglutide was associated with a 38% reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) within the first 3 months compared to placebo.
  • At 6 months, semaglutide was associated with a 41% reduced risk of MACE compared to placebo.
  • The researchers note that these benefits were observed even before most patients would have been titrated to their full target dose of 2.4 mg and without significant weight loss.
  • Dr Jorge Plutzky, lead author of the study, notes that the mechanisms through which semaglutide produces early clinical benefits are not fully understood and may include effects on reducing inflammation, blood sugar, blood pressure, and direct effects on the heart and blood vessels.
  • The study highlights the importance of semaglutide's early action on decreasing major cardiovascular events, even before most patients would have been titrated to their full target dose.

Statistics:

  • 17,604 adults were involved in the SELECT trial, with 72% being male and weighted average age of 56.2 years.
  • 804 sites across 41 countries were involved in the trial.
  • 38% reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) within the first 3 months compared to placebo.
  • 41% reduced risk of MACE within the first 6 months compared to placebo.
  • 36 vs 58 major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) respectively at 3 months.
  • 67 vs 113 MACE respectively at 6 months.

Sources:

  • [1] SELECT (Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes) trial, published in 2023.

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