# GLP-1 Drugs May Reduce Surgery Risks

> GLP-1 drugs linked to lower heart attack and infection risks after surgery.
- Title: GLP-1 Drugs May Reduce Surgery Risks · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: GLP-1 drugs linked to lower heart attack and infection risks after surgery. GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced major cardiovascular events by 11% and…
- Keywords: glp-1, surgery, cardiovascular, infections, elective surgery, mace, postoperative, Drugs, May, Reduce, Risks, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/millions-of-surgery-records-raise-new-questions-about-glp-1-drugs-12578788
- Published: 2026-10-18T06:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: glp-1, surgery, cardiovascular, infections, elective surgery, mace, postoperative
## GLP-1 Drugs Show Surgery Benefits
Researchers found people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists before surgery had lower risks of serious heart attacks and infections.

> These findings are particularly interesting because glp-1 medications are best known for their metabolic benefits
## Study Details
The study analyzed data from 2,028,601 adults who had elective surgeries lasting over an hour between 2016 and 2024.
## Key Findings
GLP-1 users had 11% lower odds of major cardiovascular events and 8% lower odds of postoperative infections compared to non-users.
## Inflammatory Response
GLP-1 drugs may reduce inflammation around surgery, which could explain lower infection risks.

> She added that it was especially interesting to see the associations persist around the time of surgery, when surgery typically triggers a substantial inflammatory response.
## Anesthesia Concerns
Anesthesiologists worry GLP-1 drugs might cause stomach contents to remain during surgery, increasing aspiration risk.

> Tolan said one concern for anesthesiologists is that the drugs delay gastric emptying, potentially leaving residual stomach contents despite standard fasting and increasing the risk of aspiration during anesthesia.
## Current Guidance
U.S. medical guidelines recommend individualized decisions about GLP-1 use before surgery rather than routine withholding.

> Tolan said current u.s. guidance favors an individualized approach rather than routinely withholding glp-1 medications from every patient before surgery.
## Next Steps
Further research is needed to confirm if GLP-1 reduces risks and how best to balance benefits against aspiration risks.

> Further research is needed to establish whether the apparent benefits are causal and how best to balance them against aspiration risk, she added.
## Key takeaway

GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced major cardiovascular events by 11% and postoperative infections by 8% in patients undergoing surgery.