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The GLP-1 medication trend has taken the health and wellness world by storm, largely hailed as a game-changer for weight loss.

Now, new research suggested the benefits of the drugs extend beyond shedding pounds. They could also be powerful tools for improving heart health, particularly for individuals at risk of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke and heart failure.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, including among Hispanic Americans, prompting experts to seek innovative ways to reverse the trend. GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed to manage Type 2 diabetes, now offer promising cardiovascular benefits by addressing multiple risk factors at once.

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Dr. Francisco Parrilla, a cardiologist at Orlando Health, described GLP-1 medications as a game-changer in managing both diabetes and heart health.

"These benefits can be achieved through several mechanisms, improving the glycemic and lipid level control through weight reduction, lowering the blood pressure and decreasing the inflammation in the blood vessels," Parrilla outlined. "The control of all of these factors is fundamental to decreasing the development of cholesterol plaques in the arteries."

The potential of GLP-1s to address health disparities is particularly relevant for Hispanic communities, where rates of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease exceed national averages.

The link between weight loss and heart health underscores the significance of GLP-1 medications.

Gayle Smith, a bariatric dietitian at Orlando Health, said losing excess weight often brings additional health benefits.

"Because as you lose weight, you improve your heart health and other functions in your body as well as having more energy, ability to get out and exercise, eat healthy," Smith emphasized. "All of that goes together."

Despite their benefits, GLP-1 medications remain out of reach for some patients. The high cost can be a significant obstacle, although Parrilla noted more insurance companies are beginning to cover these drugs as evidence of their cardiovascular benefits grows.

"The benefits from the cardiovascular standpoint are amazing, so in the long term, that will continue to improve, I'm pretty sure about that, and the access will be easier in the future for all the patients. "

Parrilla stressed GLP-1s are not a replacement for traditional heart-disease treatments but rather a complement to established therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes. For patients considering the medications, the advice from both Parrilla and Smith is the same: Consult a health care provider to weigh the risks and benefits.