Who was studied?
The trial enrolled adults with preexisting cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomized to semaglutide or placebo; this was not a trial in generally healthy adults.
- Participants
- 17,604 adults
- Duration
- 39.8 months mean follow-up
- Funding
- Novo Nordisk
What did the study find?
The primary composite event occurred in 6.5% of the semaglutide group and 8.0% of placebo: a 1.5 percentage-point absolute difference and a hazard ratio of 0.80.
What should you keep in mind?
Permanent treatment discontinuation due to adverse events was more frequent with semaglutide (16.6% versus 8.2%). The population limits how broadly the findings can be applied.
Why it matters
SELECT measured clinical events rather than weight alone. Absolute event rates and tolerability help put the relative risk estimate in context.
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes
Published 2023 · PMID 37952131 · DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
Summary by Peptide Lit, checked against the original abstract on October 6, 2026. Read the complete paper for detailed methods and safety results. This page explains published research; it does not recommend a treatment or dose.