Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

UK NHS To Offer Weight-loss Jab Wegovy For People At Risk Of Heart Attacks, Stroke

UK NHS To Offer Weight-loss Jab Wegovy For People At Risk Of Heart Attack, Stroke

The UK National Health Service (NHS) is soon expected to roll out free weight-loss <span>Wegovy</span> jab to over a million people in England at risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The move is based on the recommendation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which said that overweight people with heart problems, or serious circulation problems in their legs, should have the weekly jab "as an extra layer of protection". 

Developed by Danish drugmaker <span>Novo Nordisk</span>, Wegovy is primarily an antidiabetic medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. People receiving the weight-loss drug Wegovy sustained weight loss for up to four years. 

"We know that people who have already had a heart attack or stroke are living with real fear that it could happen again. The evidence from the clinical trial is compelling. It showed that people taking <span>semaglutide</span> alongside their existing heart medicines were significantly less likely to have another heart attack or stroke,” said Helen Knight, from NICE. 

"Today's decision gives thousands of people in that situation an extra layer of protection, on top of the medicines they are already taking," she added. 

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/foundayo-us-fda-approves-eli-lillys-glp-1-weight-loss-pill-article-153979432" data-type="tilCustomLink">Foundayo: US FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 Weight Loss Pill</a>

<h2><span rel="noindex">Wegovy and Heart Risk</span> </h2>

A November 2023 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, elicited a randomized clinical trial of tens of thousands of people, in which Wegovy - alongside existing heart medicines - was linked to a 20% reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Importantly, benefits were seen early in the clinical trial, before significant weight loss occurred, suggesting the drug works directly on the heart and blood vessels, not just through weight loss, as per the NICE 

The BBC reported that the UK faces a significant heart disease burden, and every year: 

100,000 people get hospitalized due to heart attacks, 

350,000 people live with peripheral arterial disease. 

Sharon Hodgson, the health minister, said weight-loss drugs were a “gamechanger” and giving them to people at risk of heart attacks and strokes would be a “lifesaver”.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/india-to-strictly-inspect-glp-1-drugs-to-curb-misuse-govt-flags-risks-amid-weight-loss-hype-article-153974270" data-type="tilCustomLink">India To Strictly Inspect GLP-1 Drugs To Curb Misuse: Govt Flags Risks Amid Weight-loss Hype</a>

<h2>Wegovy Is Top Weight-Loss Choice for US Teens </h2>

Only Wegovy has been approved by the <span>US FDA</span> for children aged 12 and older who are living with obesity. Since the approval in late 2022, the prescriptions have surged.

According to health data company <span>Truveta</span>, which reviewed medical records from 30 US health systems, prescriptions for Wegovy among teens jumped by 50 percent in 2024—rising from 9.9 per 100,000 adolescents in 2023 to 14.8 per 100,000 in 2024. 

The first quarter of 2025 showed another increase, with the rate reaching 17.3 per 100,000.

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wegovy and heart risk

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The UK National Health Service (NHS) is soon expected to roll out free weight-loss Wegovy jab to over a million people in England at risk of heart attacks and strokes. The move is based on the recommendation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which said that overweight people with heart problems, or serious circulation problems in their legs, should have the weekly jab "as an extra layer of protection". Developed by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is primarily an antidiabetic medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. People receiving the weight-loss drug Wegovy sustained weight loss for up to four years.  "We know that people who have already had a heart attack or stroke are living with real fear that it could happen again. The evidence from the clinical trial is compelling. It showed that people taking semaglutide alongside their existing heart medicines were significantly less likely to have another heart attack or stroke,” said Helen Knight, from NICE.  "Today's decision gives thousands of people in that situation an extra layer of protection, on top of the medicines they are already taking," she added. Also read: Foundayo: US FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 Weight Loss PillWegovy and Heart Risk A November 2023 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, elicited a randomized clinical trial of tens of thousands of people, in which Wegovy - alongside existing heart medicines - was linked to a 20% reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes. Importantly, benefits were seen early in the clinical trial, before significant weight loss occurred, suggesting the drug works directly on the heart and blood vessels, not just through weight loss, as per the NICE The BBC reported that the UK faces a significant heart disease burden, and every year: 100,000 people get hospitalized due to heart attacks, 100,000 people experience a stroke 350,000 people live with peripheral arterial disease.  Sharon Hodgson, the health minister, said weight-loss drugs were a “gamechanger” and giving them to people at risk of heart attacks and strokes would be a “lifesaver”.Also read: India To Strictly Inspect GLP-1 Drugs To Curb Misuse: Govt Flags Risks Amid Weight-loss HypeWegovy Is Top Weight-Loss Choice for US Teens Only Wegovy has been approved by the US FDA for children aged 12 and older who are living with obesity. Since the approval in late 2022, the prescriptions have surged. According to health data company Truveta, which reviewed medical records from 30 US health systems, prescriptions for Wegovy among teens jumped by 50 percent in 2024—rising from 9.9 per 100,000 adolescents in 2023 to 14.8 per 100,000 in 2024.  The first quarter of 2025 showed another increase, with the rate reaching 17.3 per 100,000.