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GLP-1 drug users show improved cardiovascular risk markers in US population-level NHANES data

RPEP-137882025Telakeng Tekengne, B Oneill; Eke, Catherine Ijeoma; Cumaaran, Christina; Ozigbo, Adaobi A; Okoyeuzu, Chinechem A; Okhagbuzo, Inemialu M; Sadiq-Onilenla, Rasheedat A; Okobi, Okelue E
evidence
The takeaway

Analysis of NHANES 2011-2018 data confirms GLP-1 receptor agonist users demonstrate improved cardiometabolic profiles compared to non-users, supporting their role in cardiovascular risk reduction in the US population.

Population-level CV benefit

NHANES data confirms GLP-1 drug users have improved cardiometabolic profiles in a nationally representative US sample

What the researchers found

NHANES 2011-2018: GLP-1RA users showed improved cardiovascular risk markers vs non-users. Population-level US data. Supports cardiometabolic benefits of GLP-1 drugs.

Why it matters

Population-level data from NHANES provides a nationally representative view of GLP-1 drug effects—complementing clinical trials with real-world US diversity.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011-2018 data. Cardiovascular risk marker comparison between GLP-1RA users and non-users.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design. Cannot establish causation. NHANES sampling methods. Self-reported medication use.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional NHANES analysis. Good for population-level associations but cannot establish causation.

When this study was published

Published in 2025; NHANES 2011-2018 data.

The bigger picture

Population-level survey data confirms clinical trial benefits translate to real-world cardiometabolic improvement in a diverse US sample.

Questions still open

  • Do CV risk marker improvements in NHANES predict clinical event reduction?
  • How does GLP-1 use vary across US demographic groups?

Common questions

Do GLP-1 drugs improve heart health in real Americans?
Yes—this analysis of nationally representative US health data shows GLP-1 drug users have better cardiovascular risk markers than non-users, confirming that clinical trial benefits translate to the diverse real-world US population.
What is NHANES?
NHANES is a major US government health survey that examines a nationally representative sample of Americans. Using this data provides population-level evidence that goes beyond individual clinical trials.

Read the original research

GLP-1 Agonists and Cardiovascular Risk Markers in U.S. Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018.

Cureus, 17(9), e91722

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Telakeng Tekengne, B Oneill; Eke, Catherine Ijeoma; Cumaaran, Christina; Ozigbo, Adaobi A; Okoyeuzu, Chinechem A; Okhagbuzo, Inemialu M; Sadiq-Onilenla, Rasheedat A; Okobi, Okelue E. (2025). GLP-1 Agonists and Cardiovascular Risk Markers in U.S. Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018.. Cureus, 17(9), e91722. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.91722