Stopping GLP-1 drugs nearly doubles heart risk in diabetes study

A large international study published in The Lancet Regional Health — Europe analyzed data from over 80,302 Italians with type 2 diabetes who had no pre-existing cardiovascular disease between 2004 and 2024. Researchers found that people who discontinued GLP-1 medications faced nearly twice the rate of adverse events compared to those who continued treatment. Specifically, approximately four out of every 100 individuals who stopped therapy experienced a heart attack, stroke, or death from any cause, whereas only about two out of 100 participants in the group that maintained medication use suffered these outcomes. The risk was notably higher among people with obesity.

Lead author Antonio Ceriello stated that while the association between stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists and poorer heart health was not entirely unexpected, its strength was significant. He noted that patients who stopped treatment often saw modest increases in weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. However, experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions regarding causation because the study did not collect data on why participants discontinued therapy. Approximately 60% of participants had stopped their medication by the end of the observation period, but reasons such as illness or interacting medical problems were unrecorded.

The analysis excluded patients taking tirzepatide and included only a small proportion using semaglutide; most studied subjects utilized liraglutide or dulaglutide. Experts emphasize that discontinuation may serve as a marker for pre-existing poor health rather than the direct cause of worse outcomes.