GLP-1 drugs linked to lower stroke risk in atrial fibrillation
In over 41,000 adults with atrial fibrillation and diabetes, GLP-1 users had an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.69 for stroke compared with non-users.
Limit: The results apply specifically to patients diagnosed with both atrial fibrillation and diabetes
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
In a retrospective observational study of 41,469 adults with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, and diabetes in Denmark, researchers examined links between GLP-1 receptor agonists and stroke risk. The cohort included 4,849 people who redeemed prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs, with an average age of 62.2 years, and 36,620 non-users, with an average age of 68.8 years.
Over follow-up starting 91 days after hospital discharge, GLP-1 users had an adjusted hazard ratio for stroke of 0.69 compared with non-users. One-year mortality was 7.9% in GLP-1 users and 13.2% in non-users, while three-year mortality was 18.9% in users and 30.6% in non-users. GLP-1 use was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.86 for all-cause mortality. In a propensity-score-matched group of 9,698 patients, GLP-1 use remained associated with a stroke hazard ratio of 0.72 and a mortality hazard ratio of 0.86.
Why it matters
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart condition in older adults that substantially increases the risk of stroke and cardiovascular death. Understanding whether metabolic medications can reduce these vascular complications bears on efforts to prevent disabling events and mortality in aging populations.
Caveats
Because this was a retrospective observational study, it cannot show that the medications caused the reduced risk, and unmeasured differences between the groups may remain. The results also apply specifically to patients diagnosed with both atrial fibrillation and diabetes.
The paper
Hvidovre Hospital; Gentofte Hospital
ESC Congress 2026 Abstract, Oct 26, 2026
Presented at ESC Congress 2026
