GLP-1 and atrial fibrillation risk — 6 month update

anna.melb_AU said:

Positive "side effect" of cardiovascular risk: my blood pressure dropped so much that I'm now off amlodipine entirely!

Metabolic syndrome resolution on cardiovascular risk: I went from meeting 3 of 5 diagnostic criteria to meeting ZERO after 11 months of treatment.

The 5 criteria (and my journey):

1. Waist circumference: 50" → 36" ✅ Resolved
2. Triglycerides: 270 → 115 ✅ Resolved
3. HDL: 34 → 52 ✅ Resolved
4. Blood pressure: 140/96 → 118/72 ✅ Resolved
5. Fasting glucose: 120 → 86 ✅ Resolved

Metabolic syndrome reversal is, in my view, the most medically significant outcome of GLP-1 therapy.

SandraNC_45 said:

NNT calculation for cardiovascular risk clinical endpoints: NNT = 1/ARR (absolute risk reduction).

That reframing is the part I needed.

anna.melb_AU said:

Positive "side effect" of cardiovascular risk: my blood pressure dropped so much that I'm now off amlodipine entirely!

I'm 62 years old and want to share my perspective on cardiovascular risk as an older member of this community.

My doctor was initially hesitant because of my age, but the SELECT trial included patients up to 72 and showed consistent benefit across age groups. We started at the lowest dose with closer monitoring.

14 months later: down 51 lbs, off metoprolol, A1C from 8.2% to 5.4%. My cardiologist is thrilled. cardiovascular risk is absolutely relevant for older adults — don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Dr.LeslieOBGYN said:

My reason for being on this is cardiovascular rather than cosmetic, which puts me in a small minority in most of these threads.

Cardiac biomarkers and cardiovascular risk: my cardiologist ordered advanced cardiac labs given my family history. Results were encouraging:

• NT-proBNP: 65 pg/mL (normal, cardiac function preserved)
• Lp(a): 45 nmol/L (genetic, unchanged — expected)
• ApoB: dropped from 145 to 90 mg/dL (excellent response)
• Coronary calcium score: 0 (unchanged from baseline — reassuring)

The ApoB reduction is particularly meaningful — it's considered the best single predictor of cardiovascular risk. GLP-1 therapy seems to improve this consistently.

Moderator note: a couple of off-topic posts removed. Carry on.