How Wegovy May Protect Your Heart – UCL Study

By Dr Mark Larkin, PhD Medical Director, Pharmacy Price Hound

For years, weight-loss medications have been primarily seen as tools to help people shed pounds. But recent evidence signals a major shift: these therapies may deliver direct cardiovascular benefits, not just via weight reduction. One landmark study led by University College London showed that the drug semaglutide (Wegovy) cuts the risk of major cardiac events – irrespective of how much weight an individual loses.

What the recent data show

The UCL study was a large randomized trial (the SELECT trial) which included 17,604 overweight patients aged 45+ with established cardiovascular disease, randomised to weekly semaglutide vs placebo. Researchers found a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) ­— heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.  Crucially:

• The benefit held regardless of participants’ baseline BMI (some were only marginally overweight, e.g., BMI ~27).
• The magnitude of weight-loss in the first 4.5 months of treatment did not strongly predict cardiovascular benefit. In other words, even those who did not lose large amounts of weight still saw heart-protection.
• One third of the protective effect could be attributed to reduction in waist circumference (abdominal fat) — but two thirds remain unexplained by weight loss or waist change alone.

These data suggest that this class of drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide) appears to have mechanisms beyond appetite/weight regulation, possibly improving vascular function, inflammation, lipids, or other metabolic processes.

Why does this matter?

From a clinical and health-economics viewpoint:

• Many patients who are overweight—but not massively obese—may still derive heart benefit, opening the potential population beyond just “weight-loss for huge obesity”.

• Historically, weight-loss interventions were largely lifestyle-based and modest in effect; now we have pharmacology that may directly reduce cardiovascular risk.

• For payers (e.g., the UK NHS), this shifts the paradigm: these drugs are not just “cosmetic weight-loss” but may be preventive cardiology tools.

• For patients, the message becomes: even if you struggle to lose large amounts of weight, you may still get cardiovascular gain.

Key caveats

• These treatments are adjuncts, not substitutes for healthy diet, physical activity, managing blood pressure, lipids, smoking cessation, etc.
• The trial with semaglutide included those with established cardiovascular disease; whether similar magnitude benefit occurs in lower-risk populations is less clear.
• Access in the UK remains constrained (NHS uses, criteria) and most private prescription costs are high — affordability remains a barrier.
• Long-term safety and cost-effectiveness (in the general population) remain under evaluation.

UK Price Snapshot (Private Prescription)

Below is a table of indicative UK private prescription prices (from Pharmacy Price Hound) for major injectable weight-loss drugs. Note: Prices may vary by pharmacy, dose, quantity and consultation charge.

*Prices reflect private market listings and may exclude consultation fees.

Implications for consumers

If you’re considering these treatments, it’s worth getting a clear breakdown of the package: which dose, how many pens, any consultation cost, delivery, and eligibility (BMI, comorbidities).

Given the high private cost, patients should factor in long-term cost (treatment may be ongoing) and review whether NHS specialist pathways apply. Starting on a lower dose makes sense (for tolerability) and cost escalates with higher doses — early discussions about scale and duration are important. Ensure the pharmacy is GPhC-registered, the prescription is legitimate, and patients are counselled about side-effects and lifestyle support — cost matters, but safety matters more.

Conclusion

The evolving science is clear: weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are not just helping people lose weight — they are helping hearts. The observation that cardiovascular benefit occurs regardless of the magnitude of weight loss re-frames these medicines as metabolic and cardiovascular tools, not merely “obesity treatments”.

From a pricing and access perspective, the UK private market remains fragmented and expensive. But as the evidence builds and if NHS access expands, the paradigm for obesity, cardiovascular health and pharmacotherapy may shift dramatically.

For now, patients and professionals alike should be informed:

• ask about heart-protection benefits
• check eligibility and cost carefully
• and view these drugs as part of a holistic approach (lifestyle + risk management + medication) rather than standalone “weight pills”.

Disclaimer: this article is intended for information only and should not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional, like your GP or pharmacist, before starting any new medication or treatment. We are not liable for any actions taken based on this content.

Dr Mark Larkin,  PhD, Medical Director, Pharmacy Price Hound

References and Further Reading

1. ‘Weight-loss’ drug helps heart regardless of amount of weight lost, UCL (22 Oct 2025) University College London
2. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes by baseline BMI, The Lancet
3. “GLP-1 drugs’ heart health benefits not solely from weight loss”, Medical News Today
4. Pricing data: Pharmacy Price Hound UK listings for Wegovy and Mounjaro Pharmacy Price Hound; Pharmacy Price Hound