Not too surprisingly, the American Heart Association (AHA) has endorsed the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss, control of blood sugar in diabetics, and most importantly, the reduction of major adverse cardiovascular effects (MACE). The events that fall under the MACE umbrella include heart attack, stroke, heart failure, unstable angina, and cardiovascular death. MACE events are obviously very serious problems, and studies now show that taking GLP-1’s alone decreases MACE risk by 20%.
As logic would have it, however, patients on GLP-1’s who also exercise, eat a healthy diet, get plenty of efficient sleep, have social interactions, and don’t smoke, drink, or use illicit drugs have a 50% lower risk of MACE. These aforementioned activities are categorized as healthy lifestyle changes and are strongly recommended for everyone, not just diabetics on GLP-1’s.
If there’s a Type II diabetic in today’s America who isn’t on one of the eleven Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1’s) (6 are used most frequently), they are being treated incorrectly and not receiving optimal treatment. The foundation of treatment of any metabolic or cardiovascular disease is healthy lifestyle changes—smoking, drinking, drugs, obesity, poor diet, poor sleep, and a stressful life. These behavioral activities alone reduce major adverse cardiovascular effects by notable amounts, but when a GLP-1 is added the risk reduction is significant.
Reference: Skolnik N. 6 Healthy Habits can cut MACE risk in patients on GLP-1’s. Medscape 2025 December 22.
