Title: Gender Differences in Weight Loss with Ozempic and Wegovy in Heart Failure Patients
recent studies have shown promising results for the GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, in treating conditions beyond type 2 diabetes and weight loss. One such application is in managing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition where the heart muscle stiffens and can't fill with blood properly.
In a recent study presented at Heart Failure 2024, semaglutide was found to reduce the need for and dose of loop diuretics in people with HFpEF. Semaglutide improved symptoms, physical limitations, and led to weight loss in patients regardless of their use of diuretics. The study, part of the STEP-HFpEF program, involved participants with an average age of 70, all of whom had obesity-related HFpEF and a low quality of life (<90 on the KCCQ-CSS questionnaire).
The secondary analysis of these findings revealed that semaglutide significantly improved heart failure symptoms in both men and women with HFpEF, leading to greater weight loss in females. Despite the higher rate of weight loss in females, both genders experienced similar heart failure symptom improvement, indicating that semaglutide's heart failure benefits may be independent of weight loss.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, works by mimicking the action of GLP-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. It enhances insulin production, suppresses glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, and signals the brain to reduce food intake, leading to significant weight loss in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
While semaglutide does not directly impact diuretic use in HFpEF patients, its role in reducing body weight can indirectly help manage fluid overload and congestion, common issues in this condition. In this study, in those taking semaglutide and receiving loop diuretics, their loop diuretic dose decreased by 17% after 52 weeks.
The finding that semaglutide can improve heart failure symptoms and aid weight loss in HFpEF patients opens up the potential for expanded indications for GLP-1 receptor agonists beyond diabetes and weight loss. With further research, these medications could prove beneficial for heart-related conditions such as coronary artery disease.
Following the study, semaglutide was found to significantly reduce heart failure symptoms in individuals with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), suggesting potential for heart-related indications beyond diabetes and weight loss. Furthermore, the treatment led to notable weight loss in both men and women with HFpEF, indicating that semaglutide's heart failure benefits may not solely rely on weight loss.