People receiving weight-loss drug Wegovy sustained weight loss for up to four years, shedding an average of 10% of their body weight in that time, as per a new study. Wegrovy is a brand that markets semaglutide injections, that have gained widespread attention for their weight-loss effects. The study also found that Semaglutide injections boost an individual's heart health, even when weight loss doesn't take place.

The study, called SELECT, was published in journal Nature Medicine. "At four years, we see ongoing benefits of semaglutide," said Cheng-Han Chen, MD, interventional cardiologist from Cardiologist, who was not involved in the research. Besides the weight loss, it also lead to a loss in cardiovascular outcomes.

The research was conducted on 17000 adults, who had obesity but did not have diabetes. Overall, people who received once-weekly injections of semaglutide lost on average 10.2% of their body weight over the course of four years. All of the study participants continued to lose weight for about 65 weeks, a year and three months, and then their weight remained at a stable level.

Were There Any Side Effects?

What Did The Results Say?

Of the people on the highest dose of Wegovy, 68% lost at least 5% of their body weight. This compared to 21% of people on the placebo. Additionally, of the total people on Wegovy about 23% lost at least 15% of their body weight. For those in the placebo group, only 1.7% lost that much body weight.

Semaglutide Shows Heart Benefits Beyond Weight Loss

Researchers found that even individuals who did not experience significant weight reduction while on the drug saw a reduced risk of major heart events. Recent analysis of the SELECT trial data revealed that semaglutide significantly lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular-related deaths in adults with obesity or those who are overweight. Notably, the results of this study lead the US FDA to approve Novo Nordisk's Wegovy for reducing heart-related risks in this group.

What Is Semaglutide?

Are Their Any Side Effects Of Semaglutide?

Semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Wegovy, is primarily an antidiabetic medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It is also an anti-obesity drug used for long-term weight management. While it can be taken as a subcutaneous injection or orally, it has significant side effects. It primarily impacts your gastrointestinal tract and its side effects include constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and fatigue amongst others.

Atorvastatin, a widely prescribed statin, helps lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, stopping the medication without medical advice can allow cholesterol levels to rise

again. Higher cholesterol levels have been linked to increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions.

Pharmacist Raj Patel recently warned about this in a TikTok video, comparing stopping the drug to giving up regular exercise.

“What happens if you stop taking atorvastatin? You know when you stop exercising for a month and everything slips back?” Patel asked.

“That's what happens when you stop atorvastatin. Your cholesterol creeps back up and so does your heart attack risk,” he warned.

According to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), cholesterol levels may rise again after stopping atorvastatin. Patients should continue taking it unless their doctor advises otherwise.

What Is Atorvastatin?

Also read: Confused By Your Cholesterol Report? Here's What LDL And ApoB Really Mean

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of medicines called statins. It reduces cholesterol production in the liver and helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. Doctors may prescribe it to people with high cholesterol or an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including those with diabetes or a family history of heart disease.

High cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build up inside blood vessels, restricting blood flow. Statins help lower cardiovascular risk, particularly in people with existing heart disease or other risk factors.

Which Medicines Interact With Atorvastatin?

The NHS previously warned that certain medicines can interact with atorvastatin and increase the risk of serious side effects, including muscle damage. Patients should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines and supplements they take.

On its website, the NHS lists certain “cautions with other medicines.” This means you should check that atorvastatin is safe to take alongside any other drugs or supplements.

Read More: You Feel Healthy. But Plaque May Already Be Building In Your Arteries In Your 20s

The NHS explained: “Some medicines can affect the way atorvastatin works and can increase the chances of you having serious side effects, such as muscle damage.” You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:

• Antibiotics: Erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin and fusidic acid
• Antifungals: Ketoconazole, voriconazole and fluconazole
• Other treatments: Certain HIV and hepatitis C medicines
• Other medicines: Warfarin, ciclosporin, colchicine and some contraceptive pills
• Heart medicines: Verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine and amiodarone

Depending on the interaction, a doctor may adjust the dose, prescribe another statin or temporarily pause treatment. Check with a healthcare professional before taking supplements.

What Are The Common Side Effects?

According to the NHS, common side effects affecting more than one in 100 people include:

• Nausea or indigestion
• Headaches and nosebleeds
• Sore throat and cold-like symptoms
• Constipation, bloating or diarrhea

“Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly increases the risk of side effects and liver problems while taking atorvastatin,” the NHS added. “If side effects make you want to stop taking the medicine, speak to your doctor first. They may be due to another cause, and your doctor can suggest lowering the dose or switching medicines.”

Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis has raised questions about whether a lung nodule always signals cancer.

The 71-year-old pontiff announced in a post on X this week that doctors had detected a small, localized lung nodule during medical examinations. The nodule was detected at a very early stage, and doctors recommended surgery to remove it.

According to Vatican News, surgeons at Gemelli Hospital removed the lower lobe of his right lung using a video-assisted technique. Examination of the tissue confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accounting for roughly 40% of lung cancer cases.

“An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations,” the statement said.

But does finding a lung nodule always mean cancer? HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand which nodules need further investigation and what warning signs to watch for.

What Is a Lung Nodule?

Also read: Pope Leo XIV Will Undergo Lung Nodule Surgery: When Does Removal Become Necessary

A lung nodule is a small, localized spot in the lung, usually detected during a chest X-ray or CT scan. Most are benign, but some may indicate early lung cancer.

Dr Dipanjan Panda, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe, that lung nodules can develop for several reasons, including infections, inflammation and, in some cases, cancer.

Does a Lung Nodule Mean Cancer?

Doctors assess a nodule’s size, shape, density and growth, along with the patient's age, smoking history and other risk factors. Depending on these findings, they may recommend follow-up CT scans, PET-CT imaging or a biopsy.

“A lung nodule is not synonymous with cancer. Most nodules are benign, often related to previous infections or scarring. Their size, appearance, growth, and the patient’s risk factors determine whether surveillance with repeat CT, PET-CT, or biopsy is needed. The key is appropriate risk assessment, not panic or unnecessary testing,” Dr Karn Mehra, Senior Consultant and Unit Head, Advanced Lung Failure and Transplant Pulmonologist, Fortis Hospital, Manesar, told HealthandMe.

When Should You Worry About A Lung Nodule?

Read More: Lung Nodule on CT Scan? Doctors Explain When You Should Worry

Dr Raajit Chanana, Director and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi, highlighted several factors that may raise concern about malignancy:

• Size: Larger nodules generally carry a higher risk of malignancy.
• Growth: An enlarging nodule warrants further evaluation, while stability over time can be reassuring.
• Appearance: Irregular or spiculated edges are more concerning than smooth, well-defined borders.
• Smoking history: Current and former smokers face a higher risk of lung cancer.
• Personal and environmental factors: A previous cancer diagnosis, family history of lung cancer, and exposure to asbestos or radon may increase concern.
• Persistent cough, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, chest pain or breathlessness should prompt medical evaluation.

Can Lung Cancer Affect Non-Smokers?

Although tobacco remains a major risk factor, lung cancer can also develop in people who have never smoked.

Dr Mehra noted that lung cancer in never-smokers is increasingly being recognized, including among younger adults. Air pollution, occupational exposures and genetic susceptibility may also contribute to the risk.

However, living in a polluted city alone does not justify annual CT scans. Screening should follow established risk criteria, particularly those based on age and smoking history. Low-dose CT can detect early lung cancer in eligible high-risk individuals, while indiscriminate scanning can lead to radiation exposure, false-positive results and unnecessary procedures.

What Happens After a Lung Cancer Diagnosis?

READ: Dry Cough, Breathlessness May Not Always Be Asthma — Could It Be ILD?

Once lung cancer is confirmed, doctors determine its subtype, stage and molecular profile to guide treatment. Depending on these findings, treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or chemotherapy.

For nodules not confirmed as cancer, management depends on their size, appearance, growth and the patient's risk factors. Small, low-risk nodules may require periodic CT scans, while suspicious ones may need further imaging or a biopsy. Not every nodule requires an invasive procedure.

Why Is Follow-Up Important?

“A lung nodule is not a cancer diagnosis, but it should never be ignored. Completing recommended follow-up scans is crucial. Quitting smoking remains one of the most effective ways to reduce lung cancer risk. Long-term smokers aged 50 and above should discuss whether they qualify for annual low-dose CT screening,” Dr Chanana said.

Short-term exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of hospitalisation for several serious health conditions, including cancers and mental disorders, according to a new landmark multicountry study published in The Lancet Planetary Health.

Researchers analysed 346.5 million hospitalisation records from 949 communities across six countries and territories, which included Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, New Zealand and Taiwan.

The study examined the relationship between short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and hospital admissions between 2000 and 2019.

The findings revealed that every 10 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m³) increase in PM2.5 concentration was associated with an 8% higher risk of hospitalisation from any cause. It was the strongest for malignant neoplasms, or cancers, followed by mental disorders.

The researchers also found that the increased risks associated with short-term exposure could persist for up to 21 days.

Hospital Admissions Related To Cancer And Mental Health Increased

Also read: Can Delhi’s Air Pollution Increase GI Cancer Risk? Doctors Report Patients As Young As 15

Among the disease categories examined, malignant neoplasms showed the strongest association with short-term PM2.5 exposure, with a 10.8% higher risk of hospitalisation for every 10 μg/m³ increase in particulate matter concentration.

It was followed by mental disorders, which showed a 10% higher risk. Other neoplasms were linked with a 9.6% increase, while nervous system diseases showed an 8.5% increase.

Respiratory diseases, that were commonly prevalent with air pollution, showed a 6.7% increase in hospitalisation risk.

These findings suggest that the health consequences of polluted air may not just be limited to lungs. They could affect people with a wide range of medical conditions.

However, the researchers assessed hospital admissions, not the occurrence of new diseases. Hence, they found that increases in PM2.5 exposure could increase the likelihood of hospitalisation among people affected by these conditions.

Decline In Hospitalisation Risks

Also read: Delhi Smog: Can You Really Tackle Pollution Season With An N95 Mask And Air Purifier?

The researchers found that hospitalisation risks related to pollution were lower during 2010-2019 than in 2000-2009. Using the World Health Organization's daily PM2.5 guideline of 15 μg/m³ as a reference, the estimated proportion of hospitalisations due to exposure declined from 8.9% to 3.9% between the two decades.

Despite this improvement, the associations remained significant across all disease categories. The study had limitations, including substantial differences in effects across different countries and territories. Its findings also cannot automatically be generalised to regions that were not included, including India.

The researchers concluded that reducing PM2.5 exposure remains an important public health measure to lower hospitalisation risks. Cleaner transport, stricter industrial emission controls and lower reliance on polluting fuels could help limit exposure and the significant health burden that comes with it.

The researchers also said that the effects of short-term PM 2.5 exposure on hospital admissions could persist for up to 21 days after exposure.

Effects Of PM2.5

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter. These particles can come from vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, construction activities, power generation and the burning of fuels and biomass.

Because of their small size, PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, with some components entering the bloodstream. Exposure can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially affecting multiple organs.

Despite the observation, the study does not prove that short-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of serious diseases like cancer. Stronger air-quality monitoring, improved cancer registries and studies linking data with clinical results could help researchers assess whether pollutants are associated with specific cancer types.

Studies would also need to account for other risk factors and differences in exposure across populations.