Rachel V Thomas

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GLP-1 Drugs May Lower Risk Of Heart Complications, Infections After Surgery

GLP-1 medications, widely prescribed for diabetes and weight loss, may also be associated with a lower risk of serious complications after surgery, a new study suggests.

The study, involving more than 2 million adults undergoing surgery, found that people taking GLP-1 medications had lower rates of major cardiovascular complications and postoperative infections than those not taking the drugs. Researchers from the University of Texas Health Houston presented the findings at the <span>Anesthesiology 2026 annual meeting</span>.

"GLP-1 medications have become part of everyday care for many people with diabetes or obesity, but physicians still need more evidence about how these drugs affect patients around the time of surgery," said lead author Josephine Tolan, an anesthesiologist at the Center for Outcomes Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.

Tolan added that although the results are encouraging, more research is needed to determine if the medications themselves are driving these benefits and how best to manage them before and after surgery.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/exclusive-glp-1-drugs-are-the-new-statins-says-university-hospital-birmingham-professor-article-156104610" data-type="tilCustomLink">Exclusive: GLP-1 Drugs Are The ‘New Statins’, Says University Hospital Birmingham Professor</a>

Researchers analyzed data from the Epic Cosmos database, a de-identified electronic health record database covering more than 1,700 hospitals and 40,000 clinics.

The study included US adults aged 18 and older who underwent elective surgeries lasting more than 60 minutes and stayed in the hospital for at least 24 hours after surgery between January 2016 and December 2024. Of the 2,028,601 patients included, 145,610, or about 7%, were taking GLP-1 medications.

After matching GLP-1 users with similar patients who were not taking the drugs, researchers found that GLP-1 use was associated with:

<ul><li>11% lower odds of major cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, heart injury, stroke or death.</li><li>8% lower odds of postoperative infections, including surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and sepsis.</li></ul>

<h2>How Might GLP-1 Drugs Affect Surgical Outcomes?</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/glp-1-drugs-may-offer-mental-health-benefits-reduce-schizophrenia-relapses-lancet-study-article-156345910" data-type="tilCustomLink">GLP-1 Drugs May Offer Mental Health Benefits, Reduce Schizophrenia Relapses: Lancet Study</a>

Previous research has shown that GLP-1 medications can lower the risk of cardiovascular problems in some patients. However, their effects during and after surgery remain less clear.

Surgery places stress on the body, can trigger inflammation and may cause changes in <span>blood pressure</span>, blood sugar and circulation, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications and infections, the researchers explained.

Further, they suggest that GLP-1 medications may be associated with fewer cardiovascular complications because they support weight loss, improve blood pressure and blood sugar control, reduce inflammation and may protect heart muscle during periods of stress.

These medications may also help reduce infection risk by improving blood sugar control. High blood sugar can weaken the body's immune response, making it harder to fight infections.

<h2>GLP-1 Drugs And Cardiovascular Health</h2>

<strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/glp-1-drugs-and-fertility-can-they-help-women-with-pmos-article-156343200" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ozempic Baby: Can GLP-1 Drugs Help Women With PMOS Conceive?</a>

Research has found that people taking GLP-1 medications to treat diabetes, overweight or obesity have fewer major cardiovascular events, like heart attack or stroke, compared to people not taking GLP-1 medications. 

In fact, the American College of Cardiology now recommends GLP-1 drugs as a way to reduce cardiovascular disease risk through weight loss. 

When weight decreases, so does blood pressure, inflammation, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, and protective factors like good (HDL) cholesterol increase. In other words, overweight or obese individuals who are prescribed a GLP-1 for weight loss may experience positive changes to their heart health, especially if they are at risk of heart disease.

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GLP-1 medications, widely prescribed for diabetes and weight loss, may also be associated with a lower risk of serious complications after surgery, a new study suggests.The study, involving more than 2 million adults undergoing surgery, found that people taking GLP-1 medications had lower rates of major cardiovascular complications and postoperative infections than those not taking the drugs. Researchers from the University of Texas Health Houston presented the findings at the Anesthesiology 2026 annual meeting."GLP-1 medications have become part of everyday care for many people with diabetes or obesity, but physicians still need more evidence about how these drugs affect patients around the time of surgery," said lead author Josephine Tolan, an anesthesiologist at the Center for Outcomes Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.Tolan added that although the results are encouraging, more research is needed to determine if the medications themselves are driving these benefits and how best to manage them before and after surgery.What Are The Key Findings Also read: Exclusive: GLP-1 Drugs Are The ‘New Statins’, Says University Hospital Birmingham ProfessorResearchers analyzed data from the Epic Cosmos database, a de-identified electronic health record database covering more than 1,700 hospitals and 40,000 clinics.The study included US adults aged 18 and older who underwent elective surgeries lasting more than 60 minutes and stayed in the hospital for at least 24 hours after surgery between January 2016 and December 2024. Of the 2,028,601 patients included, 145,610, or about 7%, were taking GLP-1 medications.After matching GLP-1 users with similar patients who were not taking the drugs, researchers found that GLP-1 use was associated with:11% lower odds of major cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, heart injury, stroke or death.8% lower odds of postoperative infections, including surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and sepsis.How Might GLP-1 Drugs Affect Surgical Outcomes?Read More: GLP-1 Drugs May Offer Mental Health Benefits, Reduce Schizophrenia Relapses: Lancet StudyPrevious research has shown that GLP-1 medications can lower the risk of cardiovascular problems in some patients. However, their effects during and after surgery remain less clear.Surgery places stress on the body, can trigger inflammation and may cause changes in blood pressure, blood sugar and circulation, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications and infections, the researchers explained.Further, they suggest that GLP-1 medications may be associated with fewer cardiovascular complications because they support weight loss, improve blood pressure and blood sugar control, reduce inflammation and may protect heart muscle during periods of stress.These medications may also help reduce infection risk by improving blood sugar control. High blood sugar can weaken the body's immune response, making it harder to fight infections.GLP-1 Drugs And Cardiovascular HealthREAD: Ozempic Baby: Can GLP-1 Drugs Help Women With PMOS Conceive?Research has found that people taking GLP-1 medications to treat diabetes, overweight or obesity have fewer major cardiovascular events, like heart attack or stroke, compared to people not taking GLP-1 medications. In fact, the American College of Cardiology now recommends GLP-1 drugs as a way to reduce cardiovascular disease risk through weight loss. When weight decreases, so does blood pressure, inflammation, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, and protective factors like good (HDL) cholesterol increase. In other words, overweight or obese individuals who are prescribed a GLP-1 for weight loss may experience positive changes to their heart health, especially if they are at risk of heart disease.

glp-1 drugs may lower risk of heart complications, infections after surgery

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