A recent study conducted by US researchers has revealed that weight loss injections could have a positive impact on the symptoms of heart failure in obese patients.
This research highlights the potential for these injections to not only aid in weight loss but also extend the duration of physical exercise.
The study focused on the utilization of semaglutide, a medication available under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
The investigation targeted overweight individuals suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition where the heart functions normally but experiences stiffness that impedes proper filling.
HFpEF patients often experience symptoms such as breathlessness, swelling, and physical limitations that can substantially reduce their quality of life.
Unfortunately, treatment options for this condition are currently limited.
The trial involved 529 participants, all with a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30 and exhibiting symptoms of heart failure along with physical limitations.
The median age of the participants was 69, and the median BMI was 105.1kg.
The participants were divided into two groups.
One group received a weekly dosage of semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) for a duration of one year, while the other group was administered a placebo.
The researchers assessed changes in body weight and heart failure-related symptoms, utilizing the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) clinical summary score (CSS) as a measurement tool.
Additionally, the researchers evaluated participants’ ability to walk for six minutes.
After the 52-week period, significant differences were observed between the two groups.
The group receiving Wegovy demonstrated a mean improvement of 16.6 points on the KCCQ-CSS, compared to 8.7 points in the placebo group.
Furthermore, individuals on Wegovy experienced an average weight reduction of 13.3%, as opposed to a mere 2.6% in the placebo group.
Notably, the mean increase in walking distance over six minutes was 21.5 meters in the Wegovy group, in contrast to 1.2 meters in the placebo group.
Dr. Mikhail Kosiborod, the principal investigator from Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, highlighted the significant improvements witnessed in symptoms, physical capabilities, exercise performance, and weight loss for the Wegovy group.
He emphasized that this study marked the first instance of a pharmacological agent specifically targeting obesity as a treatment approach for HFpEF.
The outcomes are promising and suggest that obesity might be a fundamental contributing factor to HFpEF, rather than just a comorbidity.
The study was financially supported by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy.
The research sheds light on the potential of Wegovy injections to mitigate the risk of heart attack and stroke in obese individuals with cardiovascular disease.
It reduces the risk by 20% when administered alongside standard preventive care, offering a potential breakthrough in addressing heart-related health concerns for this group.
World News