March 2025

CARDIOVASCULAR

UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING GLP-1 DISCONTINUATION TO IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Featuring: Sadiya S. Khan, MD, MSc
The use of diabetes and weight loss medications, known as GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic® and Wegovy®, has surged significantly in recent years. According to a June 2024 poll, 12% of U.S. adults have used them despite their high cost.

However, a significant concern arises from the fact that 50% to 75% of individuals who begin these treatments discontinue them within a year, potentially jeopardizing their cardiovascular health. While these medications play a vital role in weight management, they also have been shown to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease events by 20% to 25%, irrespective of weight loss outcomes.

Investigating Factors Behind Discontinuation
Sadiya S. Khan, MD, MSc, a cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine, aims to investigate the reasons behind this alarming discontinuation rate and its possible cardiovascular repercussions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications of stopping these therapies prematurely.
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Dr. Khan says, "The staggering rates of discontinuation for GLP-1 receptor agonists should alarm clinicians, policymakers and public health experts." She notes that factors contributing to this phenomenon might include:
  • The high cost of the therapies
  • The perception that these medications are temporary solutions rather than part of ongoing chronic disease management
Some individuals may believe they can cease treatment upon achieving weight loss, while others might use them primarily for aesthetic purposes, neglecting their significant cardiovascular benefits.
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Research and Clinical Support Can Help Address Discontinuation
In a recent JAMA Viewpoint opinion piece, Dr. Khan and her colleagues advocate for further research to explore the reasons behind medication discontinuation and to develop clinical strategies and policies that encourage persistent use.
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The authors of the Viewpoint highlight a 2023 survey that revealed 45% of U.S. adults expressed interest in these treatments for weight management, but that interest plummeted to 14% once they learned about the risk of weight regain after discontinuation. This finding underscores the importance of continuous therapy in maintaining both weight loss and cardiovascular health.​
Sadiya S. Khan, MD, MSc, Magerstadt Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Associate Professor, Medicine (Cardiology), Medical Social Sciences (Determinants of Health), and Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology)

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