The main ingredient in the injectable obesity drug Wegovy reduces the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke, regardless of the weight lost by the patient while taking it, according to a study by researchers from University College London (UCL).

The study also shows that patients taking the drug maintain significant weight loss for at least four years, with fewer serious side effects compared to those who received a placebo during the research.

After four years, obese patients lost an average of 10.2% of their initial weight and 7.7 centimeters from their waist circumference.

The cardiovascular benefits were observed even in patients with mild obesity or those who lost only a small amount of weight.

Researchers and doctors who studied the results said the drug appears to offer benefits beyond weight loss. They suggested that the UK's National Health Service should consider extending the availability of the drug for obese patients beyond the current two-year limit.

Wegovy, like other highly publicized obesity drugs, is based on the substance semaglutide, which makes the body feel full, thereby reducing calorie intake.

The study was the largest in its field, monitoring 17,604 patients from 41 countries over five years. All participants were obese or overweight, none had diabetes, but all had experienced a heart attack, stroke, or some severe arterial condition.