Ozempic and other GLP-1S are trendy in Hollywood and cardiology departments

GLP-1 medication such as Ozempic has been used for the treatment of type II diabetes for two decades. In recent times, the drug has been an effective instrument for weight loss for overweight and obese people – so effective that it could affect the country's economy.

Weight loss can have secondary cardiovascular advantages, but new research results suggest that GLP-1 can have a direct influence on heart health, with the medication against adjicity among the five most important trends of cardiovascular medicine at American Cardiology for 2025 of the American College of Cardiology.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] Medicines stimulate the pancreas to release insulin, one of two hormones that control blood sugar. The other is glucagon. People with type -II diabetes have difficulty regulating insulin secretion, which can lead to increased blood sugar and a resolution of certain biological functions.

This differs from type I diabetes, which requires insulin injections. Type -II diabetes correlates heavily with obesity.

“Some of the newer drugs – such as the Semaglutid, which is known as Ozempic and Wegven and Tirzepatide, which is known as Mounjaro and Zepbound – have increased these medications. They require less frequent administration, ”said Dr. Christopher Sparrow, a cardiologist who specializes in heart failure and transplant at the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. “They are also associated with some fewer side effects and have improved weight loss.”

A few years ago, GLP-1S increased as a weight loss medication for overweight and obese people, regardless of whether they have type II diabetes. Sparrow said that the receptors targeted by GLP-1 medication are mainly in the intestine. They are also in the brain and heart and reduce hunger by stimulating the feeling of satiety and reducing inflammation that influence the cardiovascular function.

“The advantageous effects are very strongly associated with weight loss,” said Sparrow. “In all the studies, the more weight you lose, the more use for your cardiovascular health.”

However, the effects of weight loss with GLP-1 medication exceeded those of weight loss alone. The biggest advantage was among people with type -II diabetes.

“It was shown that these patients have a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death if they apply these medication,” said Sparrow.

There was also an advantage in people with existing cardiovascular diseases and certain types of heart failure. In this population, the subjects had less likely to have a renewed occurrence of cardiovascular events and showed an increased heart function and the ability to achieve further distances.

“The excitement behind it is enormous because it opens the door to not only use these drugs as a preventive strategy for heart disease, but also as potential therapeutic agents to improve the results in these patients who have reduced the quality of life due to heart failure,” said Sparrow.

There is not enough data to know whether this could delay or prevent the need for a heart transplant, he said. And the drugs were not examined in people with weakened heart muscles.

“The Food and Drug Administration [FDA] Has not yet approved these drugs for heart failure, but as a heart failure, I tell you, I am really looking forward to the time when we can have access to these therapeutics for a larger population, ”said Sparrow.

Access and availability

When various GLP-1 medication became more and more popular, they became more difficult to get and asked some companies to produce a over-the-counter-compiled version. These drugs have the same active substances as GLP-1S approved by FDA and are available to a fraction of the costs.

“During the Super Bowl, we saw an advertisement directly to consumers for increased medication for weight loss without ever having to see a doctor,” said Sparrow. “This is a big hot topic in medicine. It is located in a very ethical and legal gray area. “

According to Sparrow, compound drugs can be appropriate in some situations, especially in the event of a shortage of drugs. In December, the FDA renewed its objections to reinforced GLP-1S and determined the end of a defect with a tied deficiency. On February 21, they also said that the Ozempische offer kept pace with the demand.

The sticker price keeps the drug out of range for many, with only about 1 out of 5 employer health plans cover GLP-1. Those who cover it sometimes let patients jump through additional tires. The employees of the state of Illinois, for example, to which Illinois State University also includes, must adhere to a weight management program to keep their reporting.

Medicare recently announced that the GLP-1 medication for obese patients with cardiovascular diseases and affecting around 3.4 million Americans. Adults over 50 tend to develop cardiovascular diseases.