GLP-1 drugs and healthy lifestyle choices work in tandem to protect the heart
Combining GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide with healthy lifestyle choices can help adults with type 2 diabetes improve their cardiovascular health, according to new data presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 conference.
The rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) continues to be one of the biggest stories in modern healthcare. Semaglutide—sold by Novo Nordisk under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic—and tirzepatide—sold by Eli Lilly and Company under the brand names Zepbound and Mounjaro—are just two popular examples of these drugs, which were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and have now been linked to many other notable benefits.
For this latest analysis, researchers explored data from more than 63,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes and no previous history of cardiovascular disease, cancer or chronic kidney disease. Information was then collected on each patient’s lifestyle habits, including their sleeping schedule, diet, alcohol intake, stress management, physical activity and more.
Overall, the group found that study participants who adhered to eight heart-healthy lifestyle habits and took a GLP-1 RA had a 63% lower risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event. Major cardiovascular events include myocardial infarctions, strokes, hospitalizations due to cardiovascular disease and death.
Even adopting just six heart-healthy habits, researchers added, helped reduce the risk of a major cardiovascular event by 50%.
“Lifestyle modifications are recommended as the cornerstone for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes,” lead author Xuan-Mai Nguyen, MD, PhD, a second-year medicine resident at the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a statement. “Our study’s findings suggest that people with type 2 diabetes taking GLP-1 RAs can improve their heart health even more by adding and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. They also indicate that if someone does not have access to GLP-1 RAs, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can still lower the risk of having a stroke, heart attack or dying from heart-related issues.”
“Rather than medications versus lifestyle, healthcare professionals should really be emphasizing both to achieve the best clinical outcomes for our patients,” added preventive cardiologist Chiadi E. Ndumele, MD, PhD, director of obesity and cardiometabolic research at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 conference runs Nov. 7-10 in New Orleans. Click here for additional details.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.