TUM and Harvard study shows obesity drugs cut risk of death or hospitalization in HFpEF patients by more than 40 percent

TUM and Harvard study shows obesity drugs cut risk of death or hospitalization in HFpEF patients by more than 40 percent

(IN BRIEF) A study by the Technical University of Munich and Harvard Medical School has shown that obesity drugs semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) by more than 40 percent. The large-scale analysis of 100,000 patients across U.S. insurance databases confirmed earlier clinical trial data and extended them to broader populations. With HFpEF affecting over 30 million people globally and few treatment options available, the findings mark a breakthrough that could expand therapeutic indications and reduce hospitalizations. Published in JAMA, the study underscores the potential of data-driven approaches in accelerating medical innovation.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 1-Sept-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), working with colleagues from Harvard Medical School, have shown that the widely used anti-obesity drugs semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) reduce the risk of hospitalization or death from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) by more than 40 percent. The findings, published in JAMA, provide the strongest evidence to date supporting the use of these medications in treating a form of heart failure that currently has few effective therapies.

HFpEF affects more than 30 million people worldwide. Unlike other types of heart failure, the heart continues to pump normally, but stiffened muscle prevents proper filling. Obesity and diabetes are major risk factors that worsen patient outcomes. Until now, treatment options for HFpEF have been very limited.

The study evaluated data from around 100,000 patients across three major U.S. health insurance databases, making it one of the largest real-world analyses of these drugs in heart failure. The results confirmed earlier trial findings in patients with obesity or diabetes and extended them to groups not typically included in clinical studies. Both medications significantly reduced the combined risk of hospitalization for heart failure or death compared with another diabetes therapy previously shown to have no benefit in heart failure.

Professor Heribert Schunkert, Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at TUM University Hospital German Heart Center, noted: “Together with Harvard, we have created a robust evidence base for considering semaglutide and tirzepatide as treatment options in HFpEF. Our analysis demonstrates clear protective effects in a condition with extremely poor prognosis, offering a strong case for expanding drug indications.”

Dr. Nils Krüger, resident physician and lead author, emphasized the potential health system impact: “In Germany, heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization and a major driver of health costs. Our results suggest that these drugs could prevent a large number of hospital admissions and improve outcomes for many patients.”

The researchers highlight that their database approach included patient populations nearly 20 times larger than typical clinical trials, showing how data-driven methods can complement traditional research. They also see growing relevance in Germany, where the Health Data Utilization Act will soon make anonymized health insurance data available for projects that study the real-world safety and effectiveness of therapies.

Publications

Krüger et al: Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction, published in JAMA, 31. August 2025. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2025.14092

Further information and links

• TUM University Hospital German Heart Center
• Department of Cardiovascular Diseases

Media Contacts:

Corporate Communications Center
Klaus Becker und Katrin Weißner
presse@tum.de

Contacts to this article:

Prof. Dr. Heribert Schunkert
Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases
Technical University of Munich
TUM University Hospital German Heart Center
heribert.schunkert@tum.de

Dr. Nils Krüger
Technical University of Munich
TUM University Hospital German Heart Center
nils.kruger@tum.de

SOURCE: Technical University of Munich