High Blood Pressure, Heart Health and Weight Loss
Excess weight raises the strain on the heart and is closely linked with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. Losing weight can improve several of these risk factors. This guide explains how, and what the FDA has approved for adults who have both heart disease and excess weight.
Important safety information. This page is general education, not medical advice. Only a licensed clinician who knows your history can decide whether a medication is right for you. Do not start, stop or change a prescription without talking to your clinician. If you have severe abdominal pain, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or thoughts of harming yourself, seek emergency care or call 988.
How Weight Affects Blood Pressure and the Heart
Extra weight, especially around the abdomen, is associated with higher blood pressure, unfavorable cholesterol and blood sugar, and a higher chance of heart attack and stroke. Even moderate weight loss is generally associated with lower blood pressure, though the amount varies from person to person.
What the FDA Has Approved
semaglutide (Wegovy) is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight, in addition to its weight management indication. This was based on the SELECT trial, in which people taking semaglutide had a lower rate of these events than those taking placebo. Other weight loss medications do not currently carry this heart-protection indication, and medication choice is individual. See semaglutide vs tirzepatide and how to choose a medication.
If You Take Blood Pressure Medication
Do not stop or change blood pressure medication on your own. As weight falls, blood pressure can drop and your clinician may need to adjust doses. Vomiting, diarrhea or poor fluid intake from weight loss medication can also cause dehydration and low blood pressure, so tell your clinician about any such symptoms. Some weight loss medications, such as phentermine-containing products, can raise heart rate or blood pressure and may not be suitable for people with certain heart conditions.
Cost and Coverage
Coverage can differ when a medication is prescribed to reduce cardiovascular risk. Check your plan and see insurance coverage and medication costs in Illinois.
Talking to a TeleSlim Clinic Physician
A TeleSlim Clinic physician can review your history, blood pressure, cardiac history and medications by secure video visit from anywhere in Illinois and discuss whether treatment is appropriate. Your cardiologist and primary care clinician remain central to your heart care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will losing weight lower my blood pressure?
For many people it does, and clinicians often see improvement with sustained weight loss. Results vary and medication adjustments may be needed.
Is Wegovy approved to protect the heart?
Yes, for adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight, to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. A clinician decides whether it fits you.
Can I take weight loss medication if I have heart disease?
Sometimes, depending on the medication and your condition. Your prescriber and cardiologist should review your history first.
How TeleSlim Clinic Can Help
A TeleSlim Clinic physician can review your health history and goals by secure video visit and discuss whether prescription weight loss treatment is appropriate for you. Prescribing is always at the clinician's discretion, and not every medication is right for every person. See our Cost & Insurance guides and Illinois locations.
Cost & Insurance guides
TeleSlim Clinic visits are self-pay, and we do not bill insurance for our own services. We do handle prior authorization for your medication, provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement, and send your medication and lab orders to the pharmacy or lab you choose, where your insurance can be used. We do not see patients with Medicare.
- Weight Loss Medication Cost in Illinois
- Insurance and Weight Loss Medication in Illinois
- Illinois Medicaid and Weight Loss Medication
- TeleSlim Clinic Pricing and Plans
- HSA and FSA for Weight Loss Treatment
- Cash-Pay vs. Insurance for Weight Loss Treatment
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Weight Loss Medication
- Illinois State Employee Plan and Weight Loss Medication
- When Your Employer Plan Excludes Weight Loss Drugs
- Prior Authorization and Appeals for Weight Loss Medication
- Self-Pay Weight Loss Medication and Compounded Drugs
- What to Ask Your Insurance About Weight Loss Medication
Medications & Decision Guides
Learn about the prescription options and how to choose:
- Semaglutide (Wegovy)
- Tirzepatide (Zepbound)
- Liraglutide (Saxenda)
- Phentermine-Topiramate (Qsymia)
- Naltrexone-Bupropion (Contrave)
- Setmelanotide (Imcivree)
- Orlistat (Xenical, alli)
- Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
- Wegovy vs Zepbound
- Telehealth vs In-Person Care
- Medication vs Bariatric Surgery
- How to Choose a Medication
Weight Loss Guides by Health Condition
More in This Library
- Fatty Liver and Weight Loss
- Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss
- Antidepressants and Weight
- Binge and Emotional Eating
- Weight Loss After 50
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If you are considering bariatric surgery, learn about surgical options with Dr. Jihad Kudsi at DoctorKudsi.com (https://www.doctorkudsi.com).
Sources: FDA prescribing information for Wegovy (cardiovascular indication, 2024); SELECT trial, N Engl J Med 2023; 2017 ACC/AHA high blood pressure guideline.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Prescribing information changes; confirm current details with your clinician or pharmacist. Last updated: October 7, 2026.