Source: Fox News
Summary
A new study from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), can erode the heart health benefits provided by these medications. The study followed over 333,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes for about three years and found that continuous use of GLP-1s reduced cardiovascular risk by 18%. However, stopping the medication for six months raised the risk by 4%, one year elevated it by 14%, and two years off the medication raised the risk by 22%. The researchers noted that the benefits of GLP-1s are not fully reversible after stopping and restarting the medication.
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This guidance has been heard before. GLP-1 receptor agonists have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, but the benefits may be lost when the medication is stopped. The study’s findings suggest that GLP-1s should be considered as long-term treatments, and that stopping the medication can lead to a resurgence in inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and insulin resistance. The researchers warn that the metabolic reversal is “silent and invisible,” and may not announce itself until it surfaces in the ER as a heart attack or stroke.
The advice sounds familiar. It’s not just weight that comes back when people stop GLP-1 drugs, but also a resurgence in inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and insulin resistance. The researchers describe this as a form of “metabolic whiplash,” which is detrimental to heart health.
Author: Evan Null
