NHS England to give weight-loss jabs to 1.2m, lowering heart attack risks

NHS England will offer weight-loss jabs to over 1 million people at risk of heart attacks and strokes for free.

The UK health watchdog, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) says people with these health issues, or serious vascular conditions should get weight-loss Wegovy once a week “as an extra layer of protection.”

A GP or specialist will check if it is the right option for those already under multiple heart medications, such as statins, and alongside a healthy diet.

Drug trial has shown that Wegovy can help lower the risk of future cardiovascular problems. The tests were carried out on tens of thousands of people.

The jabs, in addition to existing heart drugs, showed a 20% reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to a BBC report.

In the UK, heart attacks account for around 100,000 hospital admissions annually, strokes affect another 100,000 people, and around 350,000 are living with peripheral arterial disease.

Those prescribed Wegovy will be able to self-administer the drug at home with the help of a special pen injector device, and the rollout is due this summer.

The jab is recommended for individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) that falls into the overweight or obese categories—higher or equal to 27.