American College of Cardiology Recommends GLP-1s as First Line Treatment Option

What You Should Know: 

– The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has published a new Concise Clinical Guidance (CCG) report, providing a comprehensive framework for clinicians to medically manage obesity using the “ever-expanding set of tools to assist patients in diagnosis, weight reduction, and CVD risk mitigation.”

– The new guidance, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), addresses the multiple causes of obesity and outlines a clinical decision-making process for incorporating modern pharmacologic weight management strategies into cardiovascular care.

A Framework for a Complex, Chronic Disease

The CCG acknowledges the multifaceted nature of obesity, highlighting its multiple causes, which include genetic, neurological, psychological, environmental, and social factors. It also emphasizes the strong link between obesity and cardiovascular disease risks such as sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. The guidance is designed to help clinicians navigate the use of modern obesity medications, which can offer significant benefits with fewer risks than some procedure-based interventions.

Key Pillars of the New Guidance

The clinical decision-making framework outlined in the CCG highlights several key areas for clinicians to consider:

• Rationale and Eligibility: The guidance notes that pharmacotherapy strikes a crucial balance between effectiveness and invasiveness. Eligibility for these treatments may be determined by BMI thresholds or other cardiovascular risk indicators.
• Pharmacological Options: Among U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide and the GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist tirzepatide have demonstrated the highest efficacy. The guidance acknowledges that insurance coverage, availability, and affordability will likely be key factors in agent selection.
• Impact on Cardiovascular Risk: The report cites clinical evidence supporting that these medications lead to a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes and elevated cardiovascular risk.
• Multidisciplinary Care Approaches: The CCG emphasizes that team-based approaches are critical for effective weight management. This includes assessing modifiable risk factors, identifying comorbidities, and tailoring treatment strategies to the individual patient.
• Reducing Bias and Improving the Patient Experience: The guidance calls on clinicians to validate the lifelong journey that patients experience with obesity. This includes using person-first language, creating welcoming clinical environments, and actively addressing weight stigmas.
• Access Considerations: The report recognizes that a lack of insurance coverage remains a major barrier for patients. It suggests that initial strategies to improve access should include identifying individuals most likely to benefit from these therapies, closely monitoring treatment outcomes, and engaging in price negotiations.