Stopping Weight Loss Injections May Double Heart Attack and Stroke Risk, Study Finds
New research suggests stopping GLP-1 weight loss injections could double the risk of heart attack, stroke or death in people with type 2 diabetes. Find out what the study reveals.
Stopping Weight Loss Injections May Have Serious Consequences for Heart Health
People with type 2 diabetes who stop taking popular weight loss injections could face a significantly increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death, according to new research.
The study suggests that discontinuing medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists may be associated with almost twice the risk of serious cardiovascular events compared with continuing treatment.
The findings raise important questions about the long-term use of weight loss injections, particularly for people who rely on these medications to manage type 2 diabetes and protect their cardiovascular health.
Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy have attracted considerable attention for their ability to support weight loss and improve blood sugar control. However, growing evidence suggests their potential benefits may extend beyond weight management.
What Did the New Study Discover?
Published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, the research examined electronic medical records from more than 300 diabetes clinics across Italy.
Researchers identified over 80,000 people with type 2 diabetes who had received GLP-1 medications.
Importantly, participants had no established cardiovascular disease when they initially started treatment.
The research team compared people who continued taking their medication with those who discontinued it.
On average, individuals who remained on GLP-1 treatment continued for almost three years, while those who stopped used the medication for just over one year.
The results revealed a concerning difference between the two groups.
People who discontinued their GLP-1 medication experienced approximately twice the risk of having a non-fatal heart attack, suffering a non-fatal stroke or dying from any cause compared with those who continued treatment.
According to the researchers, this translates to approximately four heart attacks or strokes per 100 people annually among those who stopped treatment, compared with around two per 100 people among those who continued.
These findings highlight the importance of understanding what happens when people discontinue medications that may offer benefits beyond weight loss.
Why Could Stopping Ozempic or Wegovy Affect Heart Health?
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone involved in blood sugar regulation and appetite control.
They help the body release insulin when blood sugar levels are elevated, reduce appetite and slow the movement of food through the stomach.
These effects can support weight management and improve glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.
However, research has also suggested that certain GLP-1 medications can provide cardiovascular benefits.
Previous studies have found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in eligible patients.
The benefits may not be explained by weight loss alone.
Researchers have suggested that GLP-1 medications could influence several factors associated with cardiovascular health, including inflammation, blood pressure, blood sugar regulation and other metabolic processes.
The latest findings raise the possibility that some of these protective effects may diminish after treatment stops.
However, further research is needed to understand the precise biological mechanisms involved.
Does Regaining Weight Increase the Risk?
One particularly interesting finding was that the increased cardiovascular risk appeared to persist even when researchers considered changes in body weight.
The results suggested that stopping treatment might affect heart health independently of whether someone regained weight or experienced increases in blood sugar and blood pressure.
Researchers also observed that individuals who remained obese after discontinuing treatment appeared to face particularly concerning risks.
This suggests that the relationship between GLP-1 medications and cardiovascular health may be more complicated than weight loss alone.
Nevertheless, the findings should not be interpreted as proof that stopping injections directly causes heart attacks or strokes.
The study was observational, meaning researchers examined existing health records rather than conducting a controlled clinical trial.
Consequently, other factors may have influenced the results.
Why Are People Stopping Weight Loss Injections?
Despite their popularity, GLP-1 medications are not suitable or accessible for everyone.
Research suggests that up to 50 per cent of people taking these medications may discontinue treatment within the first year.
There are several possible reasons why people decide to stop.
Common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Constipation or diarrhoea.
- Heartburn and digestive discomfort.
- Headaches.
- Injection-site irritation, redness or swelling.
- Gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder.
For some individuals, the financial cost of ongoing treatment can also be a significant barrier.
Others may stop because they have reached their weight-loss goals, experienced unwanted side effects or developed other health problems.
However, the researchers acknowledged that they did not have sufficient information to establish why participants discontinued their medication.
Understanding these reasons will be important when developing strategies to support people who benefit from long-term treatment.
What Do Health Experts Say?
Dr Faye Riley, Research Communications Lead at Diabetes UK, commented on the findings.
She explained that GLP-1 medications can help protect against heart attacks and strokes, and that the study identified a higher risk of cardiovascular problems among people with type 2 diabetes who discontinued treatment.
However, she also emphasised the importance of interpreting the findings carefully.
Because the research was observational, it cannot establish whether stopping the medication directly increased cardiovascular risk or whether individuals who discontinued treatment were already experiencing health problems.
She highlighted the importance of supporting patients to continue treatments that are effective and appropriate for their individual circumstances.
Her comments underline an important message: medication decisions should always be made with appropriate medical guidance rather than based solely on headlines or online discussions.
Should You Stop Taking Weight Loss Injections?
The findings do not mean that everyone taking Ozempic or Wegovy must remain on the medication indefinitely.
Treatment decisions depend on individual health needs, medical history, potential side effects and the benefits and risks associated with continued use.
People considering stopping their injections should speak to their doctor or diabetes specialist before making any changes.
Healthcare professionals can help assess whether treatment should continue, whether an alternative medication may be more suitable or whether additional monitoring is necessary.
It is also important to remember that the study focused on people with type 2 diabetes taking GLP-1 medications.
The findings should not automatically be applied to everyone using weight loss injections for other reasons.
Furthermore, the research did not include tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro. Therefore, its findings cannot be directly extended to this medication.
The Bottom Line
The latest research adds to growing evidence that GLP-1 medications may offer benefits beyond helping people lose weight.
For individuals with type 2 diabetes, continuing treatment may be associated with a lower risk of serious cardiovascular events compared with discontinuing medication.
However, more research is needed to establish whether stopping treatment directly causes this increased risk and to understand the reasons behind the findings.
For now, the most important message is to avoid making sudden medication changes without professional advice.
Weight management, diabetes control and cardiovascular health are closely connected, and treatment decisions should consider the bigger picture rather than focusing on the number on the scales alone.
Sources and References
- Ceriello A, Prattichizzo F, Lucisano G et al.GLP-1 receptor agonist discontinuation and cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in people with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort studyThe Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 2026; 0
Medical Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. The findings discussed are based on observational research and do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between stopping GLP-1 medications and cardiovascular events. Weight loss and diabetes medications should only be started, changed or discontinued under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke should seek emergency medical attention immediately.