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Investing.com -- The American College of Cardiology released new recommendations on Friday stating that millions more Americans should be taking weight-loss drugs to prevent heart disease.
The nation’s top cardiology organization now advises that medications like Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) A/S’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly & Co (NYSE:LLY).’s Zepbound should be considered as part of the first line of defense for obese patients, rather than requiring them to try lifestyle modifications first.
This marks a significant shift from previous guidelines that prioritized exercise and diet changes before medication. The new position acknowledges that exercise and clean eating aren’t always sufficient for heart health.
According to the nonprofit medical association, these popular weight-loss drugs are more effective than lifestyle changes alone and carry fewer risks than surgical options in preventing heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States.
The recommendation is explicitly aimed at influencing insurance companies and federal programs that determine prescription drug coverage. Cardiologists’ support could drive greater patient adoption and broader insurance coverage for these medications.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are the two primary companies competing in this market.
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