Cardiac failure reviewSep 3, 2025

How Drugs Activating GLP-1 Receptors May Help Treat Heart Failure

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 2, 2026

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may improve quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure.

GLP-1 RAs have shown potential benefits in reducing body weight and improving insulin sensitivity.
These agents may possess anti-inflammatory properties and enhance endothelial function.
Recent trials indicate that GLP-1 RAs could reduce major adverse cardiovascular events.
Improvements were observed in plasma markers such as N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin, and C-reactive protein.
Further research is necessary to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of GLP-1 RAs in a wider array of heart failure patients.

Simplified

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), initially developed for glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, have demonstrated significant cardiometabolic benefits beyond glucose regulation. These agents have multiple effects, including reducing body weight, improving insulin sensitivity, anti-inflammatory properties and enhancing endothelial function. All these mechanisms are potentially beneficial in patients with heart failure (HF), specifically those with HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Recent trials, including STEP-HFpEF and SUMMIT, underscore the efficacy of GLP-1 RAs in improving quality of life and exercise capacity, as well as possibly reducing major adverse cardiovascular events. Furthermore, these trials demonstrated improvements in other endpoints, such plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin and C-reactive protein concentrations, consistent with the beneficial effects of GLP-1 RAs on myocardial function and inflammation. Further data are needed regarding the effects of GLP-1 RAs on cardiovascular outcomes, and possibly in a broader range of patients with HF, such as those with HF reduced ejection fraction and/or patients without obesity.

Full Text

We can’t show the full text here under this license.

View Full Text ↗

Funding

Competing interests

Disclosures: AR has received honoraria from AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim and is on the Cardiac Failure Review editorial board; this did not influence peer review. MM has received consulting fees from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novo Nordisk and Roche Diagnostics; honoraria from Boehringer Ingelheim and Zoll; is the president of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology; and is a senior consulting editor for Journal of the American College of Cardiology and European Journal of Heart Failure. DT has received honoraria from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche Diagnostics, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer; has had expenses paid by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer; and has participated on a board for Bayer. MP has received honoraria from Abbott Vascular, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Roche Diagnostics and Vifor Pharma and has participated on a board for Novo Nordisk. GBB has no conflicts of interest to declare.

PubMed

How Drugs Activating GLP-1 Receptors May Help Treat Heart Failure

Abstract

Full Text

Funding

Competing interests

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief

Abstract

Full Text

Funding

Competing interests

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief