Obesity drug Wegovy proves more effective in women with heart disease

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NEW YORK, June 24: Novo Nordisk’s popular obesity drug Wegovy has demonstrated significant effectiveness in helping women with a common heart disease lose more weight than men with the same condition, according to an analysis of study data published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The analysis, based on trials involving 1,145 patients, focused on a condition known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), characterized by stiffening heart muscles that result in reduced blood flow. Trials examined Wegovy’s impact on individuals with obesity-related heart failure, with and without diabetes.

Presented at the American Diabetes Association’s scientific meeting in Orlando, the data revealed that Wegovy produced similar improvements in HFpEF symptoms, physical limitations, and exercise function regardless of sex.

Novo Nordisk’s chief medical officer, Stephen Gough, stated, “We’re seeing a benefit across males and females,” highlighting the drug’s potential to enhance clinical outcomes for heart failure patients.

Notably, females in the trials exhibited greater weight loss than males when administered a 2.4-milligram dose of semaglutide, the chemical name for Wegovy. Females experienced an average weight reduction of 9.6%, compared to 7.2% among males.

However, despite the disparity in weight loss, both sexes showed similar improvements in heart failure symptoms, suggesting a disconnect between weight loss and symptom alleviation. Further research is needed to understand this phenomenon.

The analysis also revealed fewer serious adverse events among patients receiving semaglutide compared to those on a placebo.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction accounts for approximately half of all heart failure cases and primarily affects overweight individuals, particularly women. This latest research underscores Wegovy’s potential as a therapeutic option for this population.

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