Weight loss medications may aid recovery following a heart attack

Weight loss medications from the GLP-1 agonist class can improve recovery after a heart attack by supporting blood supply to the heart muscle and reducing the risk of complications. This is indicated by a new scientific study published in Nature Communications, as reported by Euronews.

According to the team from Bristol Medical School, in nearly half of patients following a heart attack, the small blood vessels in the heart muscle remain constricted. This occurs even after the primary blocked artery has been cleared during emergency treatment.

In almost half of heart attack patients, the small vessels in the heart muscle remain narrowed even after the successful clearing of the main artery, explains the study’s lead author, Svetlana Mastitskaya.

Scientists have found that GLP-1 agonists can prevent the so-called “no-reflow” phenomenon—a condition where blood fails to reach certain areas of the heart tissue after the main blood flow has been restored.

In experiments with animal models and studies on cultured human heart cells, it was found that these drugs improve blood flow by activating potassium channels and relaxing pericytes—the muscle cells surrounding blood vessels. This allows for the dilation of constricted vessels and reduces the risk of further damage to the heart muscle.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that mimic the action of the natural hormone GLP-1, helping to regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. They are widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Previous research indicates that patients taking such medications have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Wegovy to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.

Interestingly, the cardiovascular benefits do not appear to depend directly on the amount of weight lost. In a clinical trial, patients taking GLP-1 medications experienced significantly fewer heart attacks and strokes. The effect was similar in both moderately overweight individuals and patients with obesity.

According to scientists, the protective effect is likely due to several mechanisms, including reduced inflammation, better blood pressure control, lower cholesterol, and improved blood vessel health.

Nevertheless, experts emphasize that a healthy lifestyle remains a key factor for cardiovascular health. A study by Harvard University shows that in patients with type 2 diabetes, the combination of GLP-1 therapy and healthy habits—balanced nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation, adequate sleep, and limited alcohol consumption—can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk.

Participants who followed all eight healthy habits were approximately 60% less likely to experience cardiovascular complications compared to those who followed one or none of them.