Semaglutide's Role in Reducing Heart Disease Risk
by Micaela Harris
October 29, 2024
Throughout their lives, individuals with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease face an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. There are few therapies that offer kidney protection and reduction of cardiovascular events in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease, an example of which classes of drugs that help reduce high blood pressure. Despite these existing therapies, there is an unmet need for more effective treatments.
Semaglutide shows significant reduction of major Cardiovascular event risk in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.
Investigators at Stanford University, led by Kenneth Mahaffey, MD, examined the effects of semaglutide in individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. In a recent study published in The European Society of Cardiology, a total of 3,533 participants were randomly assigned the semaglutide drug or a placebo to see how semaglutide impacted heart and kidney health. The trial included participants who had varying levels of kidney function dysfunction and found that those with worse kidney function had a higher likelihood of having cardiovascular events.
The researchers found that in the overall population, semaglutide significantly reduced the composite rate of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke compared to the placebo – and that this effect was consistent across all cardiovascular event categories. The study suggests that semaglutide could improve outcomes for individuals with moderate to severe kidney dysfunction. Overall, semaglutide is a valuable option for managing heart and kidney health in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease.
Kenneth Mahaffey, MD