Surgery still outperforms GLP-1 drugs in terms of heart health
GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide have grown hugely popular in the United States in recent years. However, according to new research published in Annals of Surgery, metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is still associated with more weight loss and more significant cardiovascular risk reductions.[1]
Researchers with Mayo Clinic performed the study, tracking data from more than 800 patients who either underwent MBS or received GLP-1 medications
Both treatment options were associated with significant benefits. However, average weight loss was 28% of the patient’s total body weight for surgery and 11% for the medications. In addition, patients saw their lifetime cardiovascular risk decrease by 8.6% with surgery and 1.7% with the medications.
“Both treatments are effective, but surgery appears to provide a greater reduction in long-term cardiovascular risk, especially when it leads to larger and more sustained weight loss,” first author Wissam Ghusn, MD, a Mayo Clinic research collaborator, said in a statement.
“This study reinforces that obesity treatment should be viewed as a strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk, not just body weight,” added senior author Omar Ghanem, MD, a metabolic surgeon and chair of the division of metabolic and abdominal wall reconstructive surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "It supports a more individualized, patient-centered approach where treatment decisions are based on long-term health impact."
Ghanem added that these two treatments should be seen as “complementary tools”—choosing one over the other is going to depend on each individual patient more than anything else.
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In February, a study focused on these two treatment options in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity had a similar conclusion.
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.