Stopping GLP-1 drugs may erase heart-protective benefits within two years
A new study of U.S. veterans finds that discontinuing GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and death by up to 22% after two years off the drugs.
A three-year analysis of over 333,000 U.S. veterans with type-2 diabetes examined the cardiovascular impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide products. Participants who maintained therapy throughout the study enjoyed an 18% lower risk of heart attack, stroke or death versus those on sulfonylureas. By contrast, patients who stopped the drugs for six months or more faced a rising risk, reaching a 22% increase after two years off treatment.
Gaps in therapy also diminished the benefit for those who later resumed medication, with only a partial recovery of protection. The findings, published in BMJ Medicine, underscore the importance of uninterrupted GLP-1 use for sustained heart health. Lead author Ziyad Al-Aly highlighted cost, side effects and supply shortages as common reasons for discontinuation and called for health-system strategies to support long-term adherence.
Why it matters
Stopping popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs can quickly erase their heart-protective effects, affecting millions of users.
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