Diabetes to weight loss to heart defence: Ozempic and Mounjaro protect against strokes and heart attacks, finds study |
Two of the world’s most widely used diabetes and weight-loss medications, Ozempic and Mounjaro, may be doing far more than helping people control blood sugar and shed weight. A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that these drugs are also linked to a significant drop in the risk of major cardiovascular events such as strokes and heart attacks. The findings come from researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Harvard Medical School, who analysed real-world medical records to understand how these treatments perform in everyday clinical care.
Ozempic and Mounjaro’s benefits that go beyond losing weight
Although Ozempic and Mounjaro are well known for their impressive weight-loss effects, the study found that their heart benefits cannot be explained by weight changes alone. According to lead author Dr Nils Krüger, the protective effects appeared early and seem to involve direct changes in the body’s cardiovascular systems. Exactly how this happens is still being researched.
This is important because people with type 2 diabetes face a much higher risk of heart disease than the general population. A treatment that can manage blood sugar, support weight loss and also reduce the chance of a heart attack or stroke could be a major step forward.
Real-world data shows strong heart protection
Unlike clinical trials that include carefully selected volunteers, this research used insurance data from thousands of people living with type 2 diabetes. These are real patients with different ages, health conditions and lifestyle factors. By studying them, the team could see how semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) actually work in day-to-day medical practice.The results were encouraging. Semaglutide lowered the combined risk of stroke and heart attack by about 18 percent compared with sitagliptin, a diabetes drug that does not protect the heart. Tirzepatide showed a 13 percent reduction in a broader measure that included heart attack, stroke and death, when compared with dulaglutide, an older GLP-1 medication.
Ozempic versus Mounjaro
There has been a lot of talk about which drug is better. Drug companies often suggest their product offers stronger protection, but this study found only small differences between the two. In other words, both appear to work well for heart health.Professor Heribert Schunkert from the TUM German Heart Centre says the findings should reassure doctors. Both medications seem to offer real cardiovascular benefits, not just improvements in weight and blood sugar.
A possible turning point in diabetes care
GLP-1-based drugs are already changing how diabetes and obesity are treated. Now, with evidence of heart protection as well, these medicines could become key tools in preventing cardiovascular disease, which remains one of the biggest health threats worldwide.More research and direct comparisons in clinical trials are still needed. But for now, the message from this real-world study is clear. Ozempic and Mounjaro are not just helping people lose weight and control diabetes. They may also be protecting the heart in ways doctors are only beginning to fully understand.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment and before changing your diet or supplement regimen.
