Mounjaro with Coronary Heart Disease
Posted on October 16, 2026 by Sally-Anne Turner
Does Heart Health Impact Weight Loss?
In the UK, as many as 1.9 million people have coronary heart disease (CHD), according to the British Heart Foundation. This condition is linked to as many as 170,000 deaths each year.
There is also an unfortunate link between coronary heart disease and being overweight. Based on data from the NHS England’s Health Survey for England in 2024, 66% of adults were classified as being either overweight or obese. Being overweight is associated with an increased risk of poor heart health, including coronary heart disease (CHD). For most adults, this risk becomes more concerning when their BMI reaches 25 or above, with obesity classified as a BMI of 30 or higher.
If you want to undertake weight loss treatment with a GLP-1 with any form of heart disease, you need a team who will support you. At the Bodyline Clinic, we are a medical weight loss clinic offering personalised, specialised support plans for people who may have been turned away from online pharmacies and clinics for weight loss support. Our clinical team will monitor your heart health throughout the journey to make sure that you reach your final weight loss goal with minimal side effects.
This leads to the question of heart risk and GLP-1s. If you are trying to lose weight medically and have CHD, will these medications worsen this condition? Here, we will look at one of the most popular weight loss medications we offer: Mounjaro.
What is Coronary Heart Disease?
Before we get into the ins and outs of GLP-1 usage, what is coronary heart disease?
According to the NHS, coronary heart disease (CHD) describes what happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked or temporarily stopped due to a build-up of fatty substances in the arteries.
CHD is one of the common heart conditions associated with excess weight, although it can also develop in people who have a healthy BMI.
It is also worth considering that research from the NHS notes that being overweight or obese can contribute to conditions that can lead to coronary heart disease. These include:
High blood pressure. This places additional strain on the heart and increases the risk of developing CHD.
High cholesterol. This contributes to the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.
Type 2 diabetes. Higher levels of blood glucose can damage the blood vessels around the heart. This may increase CHD risk. While people sometimes describe this as a heart attack caused by diabetes, diabetes is a risk factor rather than the sole cause of a heart attack.
Indeed, the NHS states that losing weight can reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, which can cause CHD. However, we know at the Bodyline Clinic that losing weight is not straightforward for everyone.
Does Mounjaro Worsen Heart Disease?
Let’s do a quick summary.
Mounjaro is the brand name for the GLP-1 GIP medication, which is called tirzepatide. However, you may have read that GLP-1 medications can impact the heart. And that’s true. The clinical evidence suggests that rather than being an issue for the heart, weight loss medications like Mounjaro can have a positive impact on heart health.
Let’s look at the clinicals.
The SURPASS-CVOT study looked at 13,165 people who had established cardiovascular disease.
65% of the participants had coronary artery disease.
47.2% had a history of experiencing a heart attack.
57.2% had undergone surgery to restore blood flow to the heart. These included bypass surgery and angioplasty.
Best of all, this study was long-term. The participants were followed for a median of four years. This study compared tirzepatide to dulaglutide. Across both groups, it was determined that neither had a notable increase in cardiovascular conditions.
Similarly, SURPASS-4 trials compared tirzepatide to insulin glargine in those with type 2 diabetes. This study also looked at those who were at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers explored death linked to cardiovascular issues, heart attacks, stroke and hospitalisation for angina. There was no evidence to suggest that tirzepatide was linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular conditions or heart disease.
It is important to note that this does not mean that tirzepatide is a suitable treatment for cardiovascular disease.
Are There Risks?
We will be frank here.
Clinical data aside, Mounjaro can still create physiological changes that can impact your heart health. More so if you already have an underlying heart condition.
If you approach an online pharmacy for a Mounjaro prescription and you have heart conditions, chances are you will be turned away. Why? The majority of online providers do not have the clinical team to oversee specialised support and so, they apply blanket restrictions.
Based on the UK Mounjaro Summary of Product Characteristics, it is important to be mindful of the following impacts that this GLP-1 can have.
- Increased Heart Rate: Mounjaro increased average heart rate by around 3–5 beats per minute.
- Reduced Blood Pressure: If you take heart rate medications, like propranolol, this will require monitoring.
- Dehydration: Vomiting and loose stools can impact the heart via electrolyte imbalances.
- Medication Absorption: Mounjaro may delay certain heart-based medications from being absorbed quickly, due to slowed gastric emptying.
Some Mounjaro side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration, may be particularly concerning for people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure may also require monitoring.
As always, if you have any underlying heart conditions when starting any GLP-1 weight loss medication, you need to undertake a clinical assessment.
Cardiovascular Benefits—Are There Any?
Does Mounjaro offer any benefits to those who are at risk of developing CHD?
We all know that if a person who is overweight or obese loses around 5–10% of their body weight, it can improve their cardiovascular health. And Mounjaro, in trials, has been linked to 15–22.5% weight loss over 72 weeks, depending on the dose.
Like most GLP-1s, this medication doesn’t stop there. It has been found to:
Reduce inflammation.
Lower blood sugar. This is a core issue for heart disease. High blood sugar levels damage the walls of arteries, leading to plaque development.
Stop food noise and sugar cravings. This may help people manage their food intake and blood sugar levels.
There was a study in 2026 published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism that explored both the SURMOUNT and SUMMIT clinical trials.
This is particularly interesting when considering Mounjaro for older adults who may already have cardiovascular problems. The study included data on 926 people over the age of 65, and 199 over the age of 75. This found improvements in cardiovascular risks, such as healthier blood pressure and cholesterol.
The SUMMIT trial itself found that Mounjaro reduced the combined risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure worsening in those with obesity and pre-existing heart issues. Of course, as these participants were older, it was noted that muscle mass and frailty should be monitored.
This does not mean you should take Mounjaro for heart health alone. And our team would never give the green light for that!
If you have coronary heart disease, you need to be taking your regular medications alongside Mounjaro and that will need to be monitored. Our team at the Bodyline Clinic will be happy to work with your cardiologist, your GP, or another health professional to ensure that you are kept happy and healthy through your weight loss journey.
Why Come to the Bodyline Clinic?
When you have coronary heart disease and you want to engage in weight loss medications, it can be complicated.
The truth is that many online pharmacies are not able to offer the clinical oversight to ensure that those who have specialised needs are kept safe through GLP-1 treatments.
However, our team at the Bodyline Clinic can offer that. Our team can offer GLP-1 treatments to many people who are:
- Diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
- Living with gastrointestinal conditions like IBS.
- Managing mental health issues.
- Over the age of 75 years.
If you have been searching for weight loss injections near me but have struggled to find a provider who understands your medical needs, our specialist team may be able to help.
If you fall into any of those categories, have had issues losing weight on current GLP-1s or just want more support with your weight loss, contact our team at the Bodyline Clinic today. We have nearly 20 years of experience and have helped over 100,000 people to hit their weight loss goals across the UK.
Bodyline Works. Bodyline Cares.
FAQs
What Does Coronary Heart Disease Treatment Involve?
Coronary heart disease treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the patient’s individual health needs. If someone has CHD, the NHS advises those who are overweight to lose weight. Blood thinners and statins can also help, depending on the severity and any co-morbid conditions.
What Does Mounjaro Do to the Heart?
Clinical studies like SURMOUNT and SUMMIT have noted that Mounjaro can improve cardiovascular risk factors. This was linked to lowered blood pressure and lower levels of bad cholesterol. Of course, if you have heart disease and are taking Mounjaro, you should seek clinical oversight and guidance for your safety.
Can I Use Mounjaro if I Have Had a Heart Attack?
You may be able to take Mounjaro after you have had a heart attack. However, suitability will vary based on the cause of the heart attack, whether you are stable and only with approval from your cardiologist. In these circumstances, our team at the Bodyline Clinic will engage in additional monitoring to ensure your health is maintained.
