Cardiovascular Benefits of Weight-Loss Drug Assessed by Analysis Group Researchers

May 19, 2025

Obesity and overweight affect approximately 73% of adults in the US and have long been linked to an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). In clinical trials, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved GLP-1 receptor agonist has been shown to reduce the risk of MACE among patients with obesity or overweight and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is limited real-world evidence (RWE) available to provide insights into its effectiveness in routine clinical practice.

To evaluate how this FDA-approved drug can affect cardiovascular outcomes outside of controlled clinical trial settings, an Analysis Group team led by Vice President Jinlin Song and Manager Yan Chen collaborated with researchers from Novo Nordisk and Saint Luke’s Mid-America Heart Institute on a retrospective, observational study using a large US claims database linked with clinical and laboratory measurements.

In a poster presented at the American College of Cardiology 74th Annual Scientific Session and Expo (ACC 2025), the researchers detailed their methodology and findings. Along with other results, the researchers observed a 57% reduction in the risk of heart attack, stroke, or all-cause death among patients with obesity or overweight and CVD in the user group, as compared to the non-user group. The researchers conclude that the drug “was associated with significantly lower risk of MACE and mortality outcomes” in the study population.