This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD.
Does Ozempic® Lower Blood Pressure?
Key Takeaways:
-
Ozempic® may lower blood pressure.
-
Semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic® — can reduce systolic blood pressure by about 5 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by about 2.5 mm Hg.
-
It’s unclear if semaglutide can lower blood pressure directly or if losing weight while taking the medication is what causes this effect.
Ozempic® comes with many health benefits, but does Ozempic® lower blood pressure? It might.
Research found that the active ingredient in Ozempic® — semaglutide — can lower blood pressure. It’s not clear if semaglutide is impacting blood pressure directly or if the blood pressure benefits are from the weight loss the medication causes.
Below, we’ll cover more on Ozempic® and blood pressure, including how it works and whether you can get an Ozempic® prescription for high blood pressure alone.
Does Ozempic® Lower Blood Pressure?
Ozempic® may lower blood pressure. For now, we don’t know if Ozempic® affects blood pressure directly or if it’s the weight loss that Ozempic® causes that might reduce blood pressure.
Ozempic® isn’t an FDA-approved treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension), but research suggests there’s a benefit.
Research on Ozempic® and Blood Pressure
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis looked at six studies on people with obesity, but not diabetes, who took semaglutide.
The results found that semaglutide reduced systolic blood pressure by about 5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure by about 2.5 mm Hg.
-
Systolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the top number on a blood pressure measurement. It’s the pressure of your blood against artery walls when it’s pumping out of your heart.
-
Diastolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number on a blood pressure measurement. It’s the pressure of your blood against artery walls when your heart rests between beats.
The research also found that, in some studies, 25 to 34 percent of people reduced or stopped taking blood pressure medications.
The study concluded by saying that, “Patients with obesity and difficult-to-control blood pressure may particularly benefit from a weight-centric approach to hypertension treatment.”
One important note: All participants had blood pressure levels within the normal range to start with.
Research on Wegovy® and Blood Pressure
More research from 2024 looked at participants taking Wegovy®. Wegovy® contains up to 2.4 milligrams (mg) of semaglutide — a higher maximum dose than Ozempic®, which is usually 1 or 2 mg.
After 68 weeks on Wegovy®, participants who had:
-
A baseline systolic blood pressure of more than 130 saw a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 4.93 mm Hg
-
A baseline systolic blood pressure of more than 140 saw a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 4.09 mm Hg
-
Apparent treatment-resistant high blood pressure saw a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 3.16 mm Hg
This study concluded on a promising note, too, saying, “These results suggest that semaglutide is a useful adjunctive treatment for patients with hypertension and obesity.”
How Does Ozempic® Lower Blood Pressure?
It’s not yet known how Ozempic® could lower blood pressure. The drug may have a direct impact on blood pressure, or it might be the weight loss Ozempic® causes that improves blood pressure levels.
Plus, you’ll probably make some lifestyle changes when you start Ozempic®, like eating more whole foods and doing more physical activity. These changes can improve heart health and blood pressure, too.
Let’s go over these theories in more detail.
Weight Loss
The 2024 study found that people who lost more body weight on Wegovy® saw a greater reduction in blood pressure. And those who didn’t lose weight didn’t see any blood pressure improvements.
Obesity and high blood pressure are tightly linked. Some experts believe 60 to 70 percent of high blood pressure cases are caused by having too much body fat.
According to the American Heart Association, even a small amount of weight loss — like 10 pounds — can help you manage or prevent high blood pressure. And Ozempic® can help you lose weight.
For example, one study on people with type 2 diabetes found that those who took 1 mg of Ozempic® lost about 10 pounds in 30 weeks. People taking 2.4 mg of Wegovy® lost about 34 pounds in 68 weeks.
Ozempic® and other weight loss medications can also help with long-term weight management, helping you keep your heart healthy in the long run.
If not controlled, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, and heart disease.
Nutritious Foods
Ozempic® can reduce hunger and cravings. You might find yourself eating more nutritious, whole foods and fewer foods that aren’t so good for you.
Eating a balanced diet with fruits, veggies, and whole grains can help you manage blood pressure — as can minimizing things like fatty meals, alcohol, and foods high in sodium and sugar.
Can You Get an Ozempic® Prescription for High Blood Pressure?
You can’t get an Ozempic® prescription for high blood pressure alone.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ozempic® to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
The medication is also approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events — like heart attack and stroke — in people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. And it’s approved to reduce kidney and cardiovascular risks in those with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
No mention of high blood pressure.
However, Ozempic® is sometimes used off-label as a weight loss drug. Healthcare providers may prescribe Ozempic® for people with obesity or those with overweight and a weight-related condition, which can include high blood pressure.
So, while Ozempic® may come with an added bonus of lowering your blood pressure, this isn’t what the medication is designed to do — and it isn’t a replacement for blood pressure medication.
A healthcare provider may prescribe it for obesity or overweight, though.
Does Ozempic® Lower Blood Pressure? Final Verdict
Ozempic® is a type 2 diabetes medication that comes with weight loss as a side effect. Lowering blood pressure might be another positive side effect, but more clinical trials are needed.
Here are the key facts:
-
Ozempic® may lower blood pressure. Research on semaglutide shows it can reduce systolic blood pressure by about 5 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by roughly 2.5 mm Hg.
-
More research is needed to find out how. Ozempic® may lower blood pressure because it can help people with obesity and overweight lose significant amounts of weight. But more research is needed on the blood-pressure-lowering effect of semaglutide-containing medications.
-
Ozempic® isn’t a replacement for blood pressure medication. Though some people may reduce or stop antihypertensive medication while on Ozempic®, the drug isn’t designed to treat high blood pressure. Your healthcare provider can advise you on whether you should keep taking blood pressure medication.
FAQs
See answers to frequently asked questions about Ozempic® and blood pressure below.
Can you take Ozempic® if you have high blood pressure?
Yes, you can take Ozempic® if you have high blood pressure, if a healthcare provider thinks it’s safe and suitable for you. Medical professionals sometimes prescribe Ozempic® off-label for people with obesity or overweight who have a weight-related condition, like high blood pressure.
Can Ozempic® cause high blood pressure?
It doesn’t look like Ozempic® can cause high blood pressure. In fact, Ozempic® may reduce high blood pressure because it can help you lose weight.
Can Ozempic® treat high blood pressure?
Ozempic® may lower blood pressure because it can help you lose weight. But it’s not FDA-approved as a high blood pressure treatment, and healthcare providers don’t prescribe it for high blood pressure alone.
Related:
Like MediaFeed’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.