Work

Obesity burden among heart failure patients in an urban safety net hospital: Implications for GLP-1 agonist therapy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Novel obesity medications (glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] agonists) show promise for treatment of patients with obesity and heart failure (HF), especially with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, data are limited regarding the burden of obesity among HF patients in real-world samples. Methods: We conducted a retrospective electronic medical record-based query of HF patients at a single urban safety net hospital system. Results: In 1373 patients (mean age 67 ± 14 years, 59 % women) admitted for acute HF (563 [41 %] with HFpEF, 649 [47 %] with reduced ejection fraction, and 161 [12 %] without ejection fraction assessment), up to 64 % met eligibility criteria GLP-1 agonists compared with 42 % of control patients admitted for non-HF diagnoses. This was primarily driven by higher obesity prevalence. Discussion: The majority of HF patients at an urban safety net hospital are eligible for GLP-1 agonist medications; allocation of these medications to a large patient population represents a major public health challenge.

Source: American Heart Journal Plus Cardiology Research and Practice

DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2025.100688

Authors: Tracey Yee, Priya Gajjar, Deepa M. Gopal, Matthew Nayor

Institutions: University of Vermont, Boston University

Language: English

Topic: Heart Failure Treatment and Management

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,810