Full results from the multinational SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial have revealed that long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide provides clinically significant cardiovascular protection in non-diabetic patients with existing cardiovascular disease.
Analyzing over 17,600 patients across 41 countries, investigators observed an absolute 20% relative risk reduction in the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke over an average follow-up of 40 months.
Crucially, subgroup analysis confirmed that cardiovascular risk curves separated early in the trial, well before maximal weight loss was attained. This indicates that direct vascular GLP-1 receptor activation, reduction in systemic vascular inflammation (hs-CRP), and anti-atherogenic dynamics contribute significantly beyond weight reduction alone.