Discontinuing Ozempic and Other GLP-1 Drugs Could Increase Heart Attack and Stroke Risk by 22%
A major new study published in BMJ Medicine is sending a serious warning to the millions of Americans using popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs: stopping treatment could be dangerous for your heart. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that discontinuing GLP-1 medications — including Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Zepbound — can quickly erase their cardiovascular protective benefits.
The landmark study, which tracked more than 333,000 patients over three years, revealed that patients who went two full years without GLP-1 treatment faced a 22% higher relative risk of heart attack, stroke, and death compared to those who continued taking the drugs. Even short gaps in treatment were linked to rapidly rising cardiovascular risk, with researchers warning that stopping and restarting the drugs could cause damaging fluctuations in weight and blood sugar.
About one in eight U.S. adults now take GLP-1 medications, but discontinuation rates remain alarmingly high — ranging from 36% to 81%, driven by factors like side effects, cost, and access issues. The findings underscore the importance of medical consultation before making any changes to these drug regimens, particularly for patients managing type 2 diabetes.
Source: Axios – The Dangerous Risks of Stopping Ozempic and GLP-1s (September 21, 2026)