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Million Brits Eligible for Heart-Protecting Weight Jab
1 Apr
Summary
- Weight loss drug semaglutide now approved for heart patients.
- Over 1.2 million people in England could benefit from the jab.
- The drug reduces heart attack and stroke risk even before weight loss.
The NHS in England is expanding access to semaglutide, a weekly injection previously used for obesity, to now include patients with certain heart and circulatory conditions. This decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) means an estimated 1.2 million individuals could benefit.
Semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy and developed by Novo Nordisk, functions as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It imitates a natural hormone that regulates appetite and digestion, facilitating weight loss and improving blood sugar control. NICE's updated guidance allows its prescription for patients with a BMI of 27 or higher, in conjunction with other heart disease prevention strategies.
Evidence from a large clinical trial demonstrated that semaglutide reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death by 20%. Notably, these protective effects were observed even before substantial weight loss occurred. Health officials anticipate the treatment could be available to patients within months.
This expansion is hailed as a significant advancement in cardiovascular disease prevention. Experts highlight that addressing weight directly is crucial for optimal patient outcomes, alongside managing factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. The drug is considered a cost-effective option for the NHS.
