Stopping GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Spike in Heart Disease Risk

New study finds cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 drugs can quickly disappear when patients stop taking them.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A new study from researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine found that stopping GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic can lead to a significant spike in the risk of major cardiovascular events, with the risk increasing by up to 22% for those who stop taking the drugs for one to two years. The study tracked over 333,000 adults with diabetes, showing that the cardiovascular benefits of consistently taking GLP-1 drugs can be quickly undone when patients quit the medication.

Why it matters

GLP-1 drugs have been touted as 'miracle' medications for their ability to provide a range of health benefits beyond just weight loss or diabetes treatment. However, this new research raises urgent concerns, as many patients end up quitting these drugs due to factors like cost, availability, and side effects. The findings suggest that stopping GLP-1 treatment can have serious consequences for heart health that may not be easily reversible.

The details

The study, published in the journal BMJ Medicine, found that patients who consistently took GLP-1 drugs over three years saw an 18% reduction in their risk of cardiovascular disease. But quitting the drugs for as little as six months spiked their risk of a major cardiovascular event by up to 8%, and stopping for one to two years increased the risk by 22%. Researchers described this effect as a 'metabolic whiplash,' where the cardiovascular protection built up over years can be quickly undone. Beyond weight regain, stopping GLP-1s also leads to a 'resurgence in inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol,' according to the study's author.

  • The study tracked patient health records over a three-year period, from 2022 to 2025.
  • Patients who stopped taking GLP-1 drugs for six months saw an 8% increase in cardiovascular event risk.
  • Patients who stopped taking GLP-1 drugs for one to two years saw a 22% increase in cardiovascular event risk.

The players

Ziyad Al-Aly

A WashU Medicine epidemiologist and the lead author of the study.

Ozempic

A GLP-1 drug, the active ingredient of which is semaglutide, that was used by about a third of the patients in the study.

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What they’re saying

“It takes years to build cardiovascular protection, and takes half as much as much to undo that.”

— Ziyad Al-Aly, Epidemiologist

“People need to realize that there's a price of stopping.”

— Ziyad Al-Aly, Epidemiologist

What’s next

The study's findings underscore the importance of ensuring patients can consistently access and afford GLP-1 drugs, as interruptions in treatment can have serious consequences for heart health. Policymakers and healthcare providers will need to address issues like drug shortages and high costs to help patients maintain their GLP-1 regimens.

The takeaway

This study highlights the double-edged sword of GLP-1 drugs - while they provide significant cardiovascular benefits when taken consistently, stopping these medications can quickly undo those protections and lead to a sharp increase in heart disease risk. It's a sobering reminder that maintaining access to these 'miracle' drugs should be a top priority for both patients and the healthcare system.