Lower risk of serious heart events
- Published in
- Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2016
- People studied
- 4,834
In 4,834 people with type 2 diabetes, losing at least 10% in the first year went with a 21% lower risk of serious heart events over about 10 years than keeping a stable weight.
- Checked against
- PubMed 27595918
- Published in
- Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2016
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
This analysis of the Look AHEAD trial followed 4,834 adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity for a median of about 10 years. People who lost at least 10% of their body weight in the first year had a 21% lower risk of death from heart disease, heart attack, stroke or a hospital stay for chest pain than people whose weight stayed stable or went up. This link was found after the trial, by looking back at how much people lost.
At a glance
- Type of study
- observational analysis within a randomised trial (Look AHEAD)
- People studied
- 4,834
- How long
- about 10 years (median)
- Compared with
- people whose weight stayed stable or went up
- Main result
- Losing 10% or more went with a 21% lower risk of serious heart events.
- Strength of evidence
- Long-term or observational studies
What this study does not show
A look-back observational analysis, so it shows an association, not proof that the weight loss caused it. The trial itself found no clear overall difference in heart events between its two groups, and everyone had type 2 diabetes.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on heart
- Lower blood pressureRandomised trials · Neter et al., Hypertension 2003
- Better heart risk factorsLong-term or observational studies · Wing et al., Diabetes Care 2011
- Lower risk of high blood pressureRandomised trials · Stevens et al., Ann Intern Med 2001
- Lower risk of serious heart eventsLong-term or observational studies · Gregg et al., Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2016
- Fewer irregular heartbeat episodesRandomised trials · Abed et al., JAMA 2013
- Better heart risk markers from age 55Randomised trials · Salas-Salvadó et al., Diabetes Care 2019
- No fewer heart attacks or strokes in one large trialRandomised trials · Look AHEAD Research Group, N Engl J Med 2013
- Lasting heart risk gains, even with regainRandomised trials · Hartmann-Boyce et al., Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2023
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