Heart Attack and Stroke Risk Jumps When People Stop Taking GLP-1s

A study tracking over 333,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes found that stopping GLP-1 medications significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke—up to 22% for those off the drugs for two years. Restarting GLP-1s after a break only partially restored cardiovascular protection, suggesting discontinuation leaves lasting damage. Researchers urge clinicians to treat long-term adherence as a critical outcome, given that about half of GLP-1 users quit early.