Weight-loss and diabetes medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, may significantly reduce the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events and death in stroke survivors, according to a recent study presented at the American Heart Association's annual meeting in Chicago. The research suggests that drugs like Ozempic, Jardiance, and Farxiga could play a crucial role in preventing stroke recurrence and improving overall outcomes for individuals who have experienced a stroke.
Protective Effects of GLP-1 and SGLT2 Inhibitors
The study, which reviewed medical records of over 7,000 adults treated for strokes caused by blood clots between January 2000 and June 2022, revealed compelling evidence of the benefits associated with GLP-1 and SGLT2 drugs. Patients taking either a GLP-1 receptor agonist or an SGLT2 inhibitor experienced a 74% reduction in the risk of death and an 84% reduction in the risk of heart attack within an average of three years post-stroke. Furthermore, SGLT2 inhibitors were linked to a 67% decrease in the risk of a second stroke.
Expert Perspectives on Cardiovascular Benefits
Dr. Ali Sheffeh, an internal medicine physician and research scholar at the Mayo Clinic, emphasized the importance of managing cardiovascular risks in stroke survivors, noting that "a quarter of people who survive a stroke will have another stroke, and they are also at risk for other cardiovascular events such as a heart attack." The study's findings align with existing research on the preventive effects of these medications against cardiovascular disease in individuals with obesity or heart failure.
Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, vice chair of neurology research at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, added that "for several years now, we have seen from randomized controlled trials that SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists have the ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, which includes stroke, heart attack, and death." She also noted that GLP-1 drugs can lower blood pressure and decrease the formation of artery-clogging plaques, both of which are stroke risk factors. Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists may reduce blood platelet clumping, further decreasing stroke risk.
Implications for Clinical Practice and Future Research
While the study's results are promising, Dr. Bushnell called for clinical trials to determine whether SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists could be integrated into routine stroke prevention strategies. The study highlights the potential of these medications to significantly impact stroke aftercare, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and establish definitive clinical guidelines. The death rate among stroke survivors who took either a GLP-1 or SGLT2 drug was under 12%, compared with 54% among patients who didn’t take either drug, researchers found. The rate of heart attacks among patients taking either medication was 1.5%, compared to 6% among patients taking neither, results show.
