GLP-1 Agonist Meta-Analysis - PMC
/PMC/2026
Why It Matters
If you're considering GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, the cardiovascular benefits appear real and consistent across studies — not just metabolic improvements. The data suggests these drugs do more than help you lose weight; they may actively protect your heart. That said, most benefit was seen in people who already had heart disease, so the risk-benefit calculation differs if you're metabolically healthy.
Key Findings
- 14% relative risk reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) across pooled trials with 85,000+ participants
- 21% reduction in cardiovascular death specifically, stronger than the overall MACE benefit
- Stroke risk reduced by 16%, with consistent effects across different GLP-1 agonist types
- Benefits were most pronounced in patients with established cardiovascular disease or prior heart attack (26% MACE reduction)
- Weight-independent mechanisms likely contribute — cardiovascular benefits exceed what weight loss alone would predict
Read the Paper↗PMC12374370