17 days ago
3
4
Posted On: October 19th 2026, 12:57 pm
“I've lost the weight. Can I finally stop my GLP-1?”
Maybe. But there's more to consider than the number on the scale.
📚 Here's what the research tells us:
In the STEP 1 extension, participants regained about two-thirds of their lost weight within a year of stopping semaglutide. Importantly, their structured lifestyle intervention also ended.
In SURMOUNT-4, participants who stopped tirzepatide regained an average of 14% of their body weight over a year, despite continued dietary and exercise counseling.
❓ Why does this happen?
Because obesity is a complex, chronic disease. Genetics, appetite-regulating hormones, metabolism, and environmental factors all influence our weight. After weight loss, biological adaptations can make maintaining it feel like pushing a boulder uphill.
Some people successfully maintain their weight without medication. Others struggle despite doing many of the right things.
🗝️ But here's the part I find especially important as a preventive cardiologist:
The cardiovascular benefits may extend beyond weight loss itself.
In SELECT, semaglutide reduced major cardiovascular events by 20% in people with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity without diabetes. Subsequent analyses suggest those benefits weren't simply explained by how much weight participants lost.
⭐ Does that mean stopping GLP-1 therapy eliminates cardiovascular protection? We don't know for certain.
💯 Don't make your maintenance decision based solely on reaching a target weight. Consider your cardiometabolic health, underlying risk, tolerability, and long-term goals with your healthcare team.
🎯 Reaching your goal weight is a milestone. Maintaining your health is the real goal.
#GLP1 #WeightManagement #HeartHealth #PreventiveCardiology
Maybe. But there's more to consider than the number on the scale.
📚 Here's what the research tells us:
In the STEP 1 extension, participants regained about two-thirds of their lost weight within a year of stopping semaglutide. Importantly, their structured lifestyle intervention also ended.
In SURMOUNT-4, participants who stopped tirzepatide regained an average of 14% of their body weight over a year, despite continued dietary and exercise counseling.
❓ Why does this happen?
Because obesity is a complex, chronic disease. Genetics, appetite-regulating hormones, metabolism, and environmental factors all influence our weight. After weight loss, biological adaptations can make maintaining it feel like pushing a boulder uphill.
Some people successfully maintain their weight without medication. Others struggle despite doing many of the right things.
🗝️ But here's the part I find especially important as a preventive cardiologist:
The cardiovascular benefits may extend beyond weight loss itself.
In SELECT, semaglutide reduced major cardiovascular events by 20% in people with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity without diabetes. Subsequent analyses suggest those benefits weren't simply explained by how much weight participants lost.
⭐ Does that mean stopping GLP-1 therapy eliminates cardiovascular protection? We don't know for certain.
💯 Don't make your maintenance decision based solely on reaching a target weight. Consider your cardiometabolic health, underlying risk, tolerability, and long-term goals with your healthcare team.
🎯 Reaching your goal weight is a milestone. Maintaining your health is the real goal.
#GLP1 #WeightManagement #HeartHealth #PreventiveCardiology
Comments (4)
17 days agocathyjavech
Good idea to consult with your primary,cardiologist and have a comprehensive plan
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