STOPPING fat jabs could double the risk of heart attack, stroke or death in people with type 2 diabetes, a new study has suggested.

Research has repeatedly shown that such as and Wegovy could help to improve people’s heart .

A woman prepares her dose of a weight loss injection using a Semaglutide pen which can hold either Saxenda (liraglutide) or Wegovy (semaglutide). The woman is photographed in a home and shows a modern, proactive approach to personal health,
Stopping fat jabs could double the risk of heart attack, stroke or death in people with type 2 diabetes, new research suggests Source: Getty
Illustration showing how fat jabs work: injection, hunger suppression, slower stomach emptying, and weight loss.

In fact, scientists have previously observed that semaglutide can reduce the risk of and , regardless of the amount of weight lost.

But now, a new study has observed that stopping fat jabs – medically referred to as GLP-1s – is associated with twice the risk of heart attack, stroke or death in people with type 2 , compared to those who stay on the treatment.

This is despite study participants having “no established” when they started the injections.

The study, published today in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, analysed electronic medical records from more than 300 diabetes clinics in .

More than 80,000 people with on fat jabs were identified by the team, which included experts in Italy and from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust in London.

It is thought that up to 50 per cent of people on fat jabs stop treatment within the first year.

In the study, people who continued treatment used a GLP-1 for nearly three years on average, compared with just over one year for those who stopped.

Results showed that the risk of a non-fatal , non-fatal stroke or death from any cause was about twice as high in people who stopped GLP-1s, compared to those who continued treatment.

The research team said this is the equivalent of about four strokes or heart attacks per 100 people per year among those who stopped, compared with two per 100 among those who continued.

They observed that among those who stopped, risks seemed to be higher in people who were still .

Illustration of subtle signs that could indicate heart problems.

Common weight loss jab side effects

Common side effects of GLP-1 jabs include:

  • Nausea and heartburn
  • Constipation
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation
  • Injection site reactions, redness, bruising, itching, swelling and pain
  • Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation

Other results suggested that stopping the may impact the heart regardless of whether people regained weight or if their blood sugar and went up.

The researchers stressed, however, that the study was observational.

This means they couldn’t prove whether stopping the treatment directly caused these health issues, or whether people who stopped were already in poorer health.

The scientists didn’t know why people stopped, which could include side effects, cost, or illness.

They also noted that their study didn’t include tirzepatide – the active ingredient in – so findings cannot be extended to this fat jab.

Commenting on the study, Dr Faye Riley, research communications lead at Diabetes UK who wasn’t involved in the study, said: “We know that GLP-1 medication can help protect against heart attacks and strokes.

“This study found that people with type 2 diabetes who stopped taking GLP-1s had a higher risk of heart problems compared to those who continued treatment.

“However, these findings should be interpreted with caution.

“This was an observational study, so we can’t tell whether stopping taking GLP-1s directly raised people’s risk of heart attack and stroke, or if those who discontinued treatment were already experiencing health problems.

“The findings reinforce the importance of supporting people to stay on treatments that work for them.”