The SELECT trial found that once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 20% in patients with overweight or obesity but without diabetes. Over 39.8 months, semaglutide produced a 6.4% weight loss and a 5-cm waist reduction versus 0.8% and 1.1 cm with placebo. Each 5-cm smaller waist circumference correlated with a 4% lower cardiovascular risk, though only one-third of the benefit was explained by fat loss. The findings suggest semaglutide’s heart protection extends beyond weight reduction, with potential anti-inflammatory and vascular effects relevant to cardiology and metabolic care.

Source: The Lancet