Eli Lilly’s drug tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss, has shown promising results in improving symptoms in heart failure patients with obesity. In a recent trial, patients who received tirzepatide were significantly less likely to be hospitalized, need increased heart failure medication, or die from heart complications compared to those who received a placebo. They also reported less shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling of the lower legs over the course of the 52-week study.
These findings add to a growing body of evidence that GLP-1 drugs such as tirzepatide have benefits beyond treating diabetes and aiding in weight loss. Dr. Patricia Pellikka of the Mayo Clinic praised the results, stating that the medication offers a much-needed treatment option for patients with limited therapies for heart failure. Approximately 6.7 million adults in the U.S. suffer from heart failure, and the condition is a leading cause of death.
The study focused on patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a condition in which the heart’s walls stiffen, impairing its ability to fill and pump blood effectively. It is believed that tirzepatide’s benefits may be linked to reductions in epicardial fat and markers of inflammation. The drug has also shown promise in reducing sleep apnea in adults with obesity, and the FDA has expanded its approval for similar medications to reduce the risk of heart disease and kidney complications. Dr. Anu Lala of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital emphasized how these drugs have improved the quality of life for heart failure patients, enhancing their functional capacity and overall symptoms.
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