Weight loss drug could reduce heart attack risk by 20%, study finds

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in brands including Wegovy and Ozempic, has been prescribed for weight loss on the NHS since 2023. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

A weight loss injection could reduce the risk of heart attacks and benefit the cardiovascular health of millions of adults across the UK, in what could be the largest medical breakthrough since statins, according to a study.

It found that participants taking the medication semaglutide, the active ingredient in brands including Wegovy and Ozempic, had a 20% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, or death due to cardiovascular disease.