Landmark Trial Shows Wegovy Cuts Heart Attack and Stroke Risk by 20%

The SELECT trial, one of the largest cardiovascular outcome studies ever conducted, has shown that semaglutide — the active ingredient in the weight-loss drug Wegovy — reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death by 20% in overweight and obese adults who already have heart disease. The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were hailed as transformative by cardiologists worldwide.

The trial enrolled over 17,600 adults aged 45 and older across 41 countries. All participants had established cardiovascular disease and a body mass index of 27 or above, but none had diabetes. Half received weekly semaglutide injections at the 2.4 mg dose, while the other half received a placebo. Participants were followed for an average of nearly 40 months.

“The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were hailed as transformative by cardiologists worldwide.”

The primary endpoint — a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, or non-fatal stroke — occurred in 6.5% of the semaglutide group compared to 8.0% in the placebo group, a statistically significant 20% reduction. The benefits appeared to extend across all three components of the composite endpoint.

What makes these findings particularly remarkable is that semaglutide demonstrated cardiovascular benefits beyond what would be expected from weight loss alone. Participants lost an average of 9.4% of their body weight, but the heart-protective effects emerged early in the trial, before significant weight loss had occurred, suggesting direct anti-inflammatory and vascular protective mechanisms.

The FDA subsequently approved an expanded indication for Wegovy to reduce cardiovascular risk in overweight adults with established heart disease, making it the first weight management medication to receive such approval. Medical experts say the findings could fundamentally change how obesity is treated in cardiology practice.