In two large cohorts, about half of adults with a BMI of 25 to 26.9 had a heart-disease risk like people already eligible for GLP-1 drugs

What the research found

Study (observational). Karen Hvid of Copenhagen University Hospital and colleagues compared coronary heart disease risk in the UK Biobank and the Copenhagen General Population Study for the EASD meeting in Milan (Medical Xpress 27 September 2026). The cohorts included 313,145 adults with a BMI of 25 or higher, free of coronary disease and diabetes at the start (median age 58; about half women). Over more than 10 years, 23,134 developed coronary heart disease. About two-thirds (204,850) already met a current weight-loss indication for a GLP-1 receptor agonist such as semaglutide or tirzepatide. Of those with a BMI of 25 to 26.9, who are outside that indication, about half (44% in Copenhagen and 48% in the UK Biobank) had high remnant cholesterol, low-grade inflammation, or both. That subgroup's extra risk of coronary disease was similar to the extra risk in people who already qualified: 41% higher in Copenhagen and 47% higher in the UK Biobank versus people in the same BMI band with healthier cholesterol and inflammation. People who already qualified had a 41% and 35% higher risk in the two cohorts. The authors say trials are needed before any change in who is prescribed these drugs. This analysis did not give anyone a GLP-1 medicine. Not medical advice. Not a substitute for a prescribed medicine. Off-label prescription use is clinician-only. Educational notes.

Evidence level: Animal study. Results in animals or cells often don't carry over to people.

Not medical advice. Not a substitute for a prescribed medicine. Off-label prescription use is clinician-only. VitaLonga does not diagnose, treat, or cure disease. Never start, stop, or replace a prescription with a supplement on the basis of a headline.

Read the original at Copenhagen University Hospital / EASD via Medical Xpress