Peripheral artery disease (PAD) describes narrowed arteries reducing blood flow to the limbs, most commonly the legs. PAD often results from a buildup of fatty deposits. Those with PAD may experience leg pain while walking, slow-healing wounds, or, in severe cases, chronic limb-threatening ischemia . This is a condition in which blood flow becomes so restricted that tissue damage or amputation may occur. PAD is particularly common among people with type 2 diabetes , with research suggesting those living with diabetes have a more than two-fold increased prevalence of PAD compared with the general population. Both conditions increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and poor circulation, and those with both may have up to 5 times higher risk of lower extremity amputation and a higher probability of mortality at a younger age. A treatment plan for PAD will typically involve lifestyle changes and medications designed to reduce PAD symptoms, decrease the risk of major health problems, and lower the risk of losing a limb.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) describes narrowed arteries reducing blood flow to the limbs, most commonly the legs. PAD often results from a buildup of fatty deposits. Those with PAD may experience leg pain while walking, slow-healing wounds, or, in severe cases, chronic limb-threatening ischemia . This is a condition in which blood flow becomes so restricted that tissue damage or amputation may occur.
PAD is particularly common among people with type 2 diabetes , with research suggesting those living with diabetes have a more than two-fold increased prevalence of PAD compared with the general population.
Both conditions increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and poor circulation, and those with both may have up to 5 times higher risk of lower extremity amputation and a higher probability of mortality at a younger age.
A treatment plan for PAD will typically involve lifestyle changes and medications designed to reduce PAD symptoms, decrease the risk of major health problems, and lower the risk of losing a limb.
Now, new research suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists , such as Ozempic and Wegovy , which are commonly prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and support weight loss , may offer benefits beyond blood sugar control, particularly for those with severe PAD.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) , found that the greatest benefits were seen in people living with type 2 diabetes who also had advanced PAD, or were also living with obesity . However, more studies are necessary to confirm the findings.
To investigate whether GLP-1 drugs could improve outcomes for those with both type 2 diabetes and PAD, the research team analyzed electronic health records from the TriNetX global health database .
The team identified adults diagnosed with both conditions between January 2010 and January 2025. After matching participants with similar characteristics, the researchers compared 2,133 people taking GLP-1 medications with 2,133 people treated with metformin alone, the most commonly prescribed first-line medication for type 2 diabetes.
The investigators assessed several health outcomes, including death from any cause, hospitalization, amputation, and the need for procedures to restore blood flow in the legs.
When compared with people taking metformin, those prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists experienced:
The researchers found no significant differences between the two groups in rates of heart attack, stroke, or serious kidney complications.
Notably, the greatest benefits were observed among those with chronic limb-threatening ischemia, the most severe stage of PAD, and among those living with obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher .
“Patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia and obesity have a higher burden of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic disease,” study co-author Akiva Rosenzveig , MD, a cardiology fellow at the Cleveland Clinic, told Medical News Today .
“GLP-1 receptor agonists improve many of these processes through weight loss, better glycemic control, anti-inflammatory effects, and improved endothelial function. Because these patients are at the highest baseline risk, they may have the greatest opportunity to benefit,” he explained.
“The most important finding was the consistent reduction in clinically meaningful outcomes across patients with peripheral artery disease and type 2 diabetes.” — Akiva Rosenzveig, MD
“Patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists had lower rates of death, hospitalization, major and minor amputations, and peripheral revascularization over five years. What was particularly striking was that these benefits were even more pronounced in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia, the highest-risk form of PAD,” Rosenzveig listed.
“This suggests these medications may have important vascular and limb-preserving effects beyond their established roles in glucose lowering and weight loss,” he said.
While GLP-1 drugs are primarily prescribed to lower blood glucose levels and promote weight loss, researchers believe the medications may have additional effects that benefit blood vessels.