Are there Possible New Benefits for Semaglutide for People With Heart Failure and Obesity?

A new study published in The Lancet evaluated whether semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy—may help more than just weight loss. Researchers found that weekly injections of semaglutide improved heart failure symptoms, physical function, and quality of life in people living with a combination of heart failure and obesity.

Why Researchers Are Studying Semaglutide Beyond Weight Loss

Semaglutide is part of a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help the body regulate blood sugar, appetite, and weight. While it was first used for diabetes and obesity, doctors noticed that patients also reported feeling better physically when used in those with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).  This is a condition where the heart pumps normally but doesn’t relax well between heart beats.

Because obesity can make heart failure symptoms worse, researchers wanted to see whether semaglutide could help relieve breathlessness, tiredness, and reduced physical ability often seen in these patients.

What Did the Research Discover?

The study, called STEP-HFpEF study design was a randomized, double-blind (which means the participant nor the doctor knew if the active medication was given although this could be determined in an emergency. The study was also placebo-controlled which is considered the gold standard for medical research.

• Participants: 1,145 adults with obesity (average body mass index of 37) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
  
• Treatment: Participants were randomly (like flipping a coin) given either semaglutide 2.4 mg once a week or a placebo injection (which contains no active medication) for 52 weeks.
• Main goals: To measure changes in heart failure symptoms, physical ability, body weight, and overall quality of life.
  

Results:

• People taking semaglutide showed a significant improvement in daily functioning and symptom relief, measured by a questionnaire called the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ).
  
• Participants lost an average of 13% of their body weight, compared with about 2.6% in the placebo group.
  
• Walking distance on a six-minute walk test improved by about 20 meters on average.
  
• Fewer people in the semaglutide group were hospitalized for worsening heart failure.
  
• Common side effects included nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and most side effects were mild or temporary.
  

The findings suggest that semaglutide may improve not only weight but also heart function and overall well-being in people with obesity and this type of heart failure.

How Can I Apply This Information?

This study is part of ongoing research, not a new approved use of semaglutide.  However, it gives doctors and patients new information about how GLP-1 medicines like semaglutide might help treat heart failure symptoms linked to obesity.

This study is considered research which means more data are needed before the results can be widely used for general practice. If you have been diagnosed with heart failure and also have obesity, talk with your healthcare provider about whether semaglutide or similar medications could be an option for you.

Researchers emphasize that these findings show semaglutide’s potential to improve daily life and heart health, but more studies are needed to confirm long-term safety and benefits.

Source:

Solomon SD, Vaduganathan M, Claggett B, et al. Semaglutide in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2025;405(10441):401–412. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01375-3. Accessed by: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2825%2901375-3/fulltext