Novo Nordisk announced new findings from the retrospective, observational SCORE study, demonstrating that treatment with semaglutide 2.4 mg was associated with a significantly lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). The data were presented as a late-breaking abstract at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25).

In the real-world analysis of more than 27,000 patients, semaglutide 2.4 mg users had a 57% lower risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or all-cause death (revised MACE-3 composite endpoint) compared with non-users (HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.31-0.61; p < 0.001). Revised MACE-3 events occurred in only 0.45% of patients in the semaglutide group versus 0.94% in the non-user group.

Semaglutide 2.4 mg was also linked to a 45% lower risk of a broader cardiovascular composite (revised MACE-5: heart attack, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, coronary revascularization, or death) (HR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.43-0.70; p < 0.001).

“These findings reinforce the growing evidence that semaglutide 2.4 mg may reduce cardiovascular risk in people with obesity and pre-existing heart disease,” said Jason Brett, MD, Acting Principal Medical Head, Novo Nordisk Inc. “Real-world data like SCORE offer important complementary insights to clinical trials and support personalized, evidence-based decisions in everyday practice.”

The study also found semaglutide use was associated with lower risks of hospitalization for heart failure, cardiovascular-related death, and all-cause death. While real-world analyses such as SCORE have inherent limitations—including potential confounding factors and shorter follow-up durations—they are vital tools for understanding how treatments perform in broader, everyday populations.

Semaglutide 2.4 mg is approved as a treatment for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition.