Ozempic May Cut Stroke Risk 20%: What to Know About Prevention Guidance Experts Say Could Help Millions

With the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA) updating their guidelines for preventing strokes, experts now say that Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs may reduce stroke risk alongside their known benefits with aiding blood sugar control and weight loss—benefits that are also key for stroke prevention in high-risk individuals. Interested in doing the most to protect yourself from stroke or cardiovascular disease? Keep reading to learn more about how Ozempic can help protect your heart.

Risk factors for strokes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  a stroke (or a brain attack) occurs when blood flow is blocked to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Strokes can result in brain damage, long-term disabilities and death, depending on the severity. 

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“Stroke risk factors include age, race, ethnicity, sex and lifestyle,” says Brynna Connor, MD, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com. “Family history and chronic/underlying conditions are also significant contributing factors, particularly individuals who have high blood pressure and/or cholesterol, uncontrolled diabetes and kidney and/or heart disease.” 

Dr. Connor notes stroke risk is higher for individuals who are: :

• 55 and older
• Black, Alaska Native, Native American or Hispanic
• Women

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New guidelines for stroke prevention include Ozempic

For those who have an increased risk of stroke, prevention is key. At the end of October, the Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke was officially updated after 10 years, and the report was published in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke. One of the new recommendations is that healthcare professionals consider using GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic to reduce the risk of stroke for certain patients. 

“The new guidelines from the AHA and ASA suggest that Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications could help lower stroke risk, especially for people with diabetes and heart disease risk,” explains Raj Dasgupta, MD, an ABIM Quadruple board-certified physician, and Medical Reviewer for NCOA. “They’re thought to do this by indirectly lowering blood pressure, helping with weight loss and keeping blood sugar in check, which all help the heart and reduce strain on blood vessels.”

More research is needed on the link between Ozempic and a reduced stroke risk 

While a study cited in the updated guidelines found a 20 percent reduction in the risk of heart attack and stroke for those taking a GLP-1 like Ozempic and Wegovy, both manufactured by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, there’s still more research to be done. Dr. Connor says the study specifically mentions GLP-1 drugs as they pertain to knowledge gaps and future research, noting “medications for both diabetes and obesity such as the glucagon-like protein-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists … should be tested in trials and other research to determine their safety and efficacy for primary stroke prevention.”

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Should you consider Ozempic to reduce your stroke risk? 

Before starting Ozempic or another GLP-1 to ward off a stroke, you should have a conversation with your doctor or healthcare professional. “While the study findings were positive and indicated that these medications can be beneficial in reducing the risk of stroke, that does not mean that everyone on them will have the same experience or health benefit,” says Dr. Connor.

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You’ll want to discuss the risks with your doctor “to prevent any potential contraindications that could arise due to other medications or complications due to underlying health issues and family history, as noted above,” adds Dr. Connor. 

If you’re interested in using Ozempic for stroke prevention, Dr. Dasgupta suggests asking your doctor for other ways to lower your risk of stroke, how these drugs fit your current health goals and side effects to look out for. 

Potential Ozempic side effects

Like any other medication, Ozempic has side effects that you’ll want to understand before using it for stroke risk. “GLP-1 receptor agonists can have a number of side effects, and the most common are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “A doctor’s input is always important to make sure GLP-1 RAs are a safe and good fit for you.”