'Life-changing' weight-loss jab approved to cut heart attack risk for millions

A weekly jab of semaglutide will be given to overweight and obese patients living with certain heart and circulatory conditions, to cut their risk of a major cardiovascular event.

The medication, sold under the brand name Wegovy, was signed off by the NHS's spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

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The drug is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which encourages weight loss by slowing down how quickly food is digested and works directly on the heart and blood vessels.

It is currently available on the NHS in England as a treatment option for people with obesity and, under the name Ozempic, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Clinical trials show the injection reduces the risk of a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.

The NHS expects that 1.2 million people across England could benefit, with patients with a body mass index (BMI) score of 27 encouraged to come forward.

Guidance states the jab should be taken in addition to other medicines, such as statins, and alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise.

Of the 17,604 people who took part in the clinical trials, 20% of them reduced their risk of a major heart event.

NICE said the evidence shows the treatment is "cost-effective" for NHS use and would be available on the health service "within months".

"We know that people who have already had a heart attack or stroke are living with real fear that it could happen again," said Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE.

"The evidence from the clinical trial is compelling. It showed that people taking semaglutide alongside their existing heart medicines were significantly less likely to have another heart attack or stroke."

Helen Williams, national clinical director for cardiovascular disease prevention at NHS England, said the treatment "could be life-changing".

"We know that people who have already had a heart attack or stroke face a much higher risk of having another," she said.

"Used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise, semaglutide could help prevent thousands of future major cardiovascular events and give many people the chance at a longer and healthier life."