A major development has occurred in diabetes care in Canada. Ozempic (semaglutide injection) is now approved by Health Canada to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes. This new approval means that Ozempic can now be used not only to improve blood sugar control but also to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death.
This expanded indication for Ozempic in Canada marks an important advancement in type 2 diabetes treatment and cardiovascular risk reduction.
Ozempic Now Approved for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Health Canada has approved Ozempic (semaglutide injection) as an adjunct to diet, exercise, and standard medical therapy to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease.
Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) include:
• Cardiovascular death
• Nonfatal myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Nonfatal stroke
This means Ozempic now plays a dual role in diabetes management:
1. Improving blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
2. Reducing cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes
Previously, Ozempic was approved only for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Later approvals expanded its role to help reduce kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Now, the latest Health Canada approval further strengthens Ozempic’s role in protecting heart health in diabetes patients.
Rybelsus Also Approved to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
Alongside Ozempic, Rybelsus (semaglutide tablets) has also received approval to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes.
On December 31, 2025, Health Canada approved Rybelsus tablets to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with type 2 diabetes who have established cardiovascular disease or are at high risk of cardiovascular events.
Rybelsus was originally approved only for improving blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes, but like Ozempic, its role has expanded based on new clinical evidence.
Both Ozempic injections and Rybelsus tablets contain semaglutide, a medication that belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, which has shown strong benefits in both blood sugar control and cardiovascular protection.
Clinical Trials Supporting Ozempic Cardiovascular Benefits
The new cardiovascular risk reduction approval for Ozempic is supported by a large pooled analysis of several major clinical trials evaluating semaglutide cardiovascular outcomes.
These trials include:
• SUSTAIN 6 – semaglutide injection
• PIONEER 6 – oral semaglutide
• FLOW – semaglutide injection
• SOUL – oral semaglutide
Together, these studies included approximately 9,800 patients treated with oral or injectable semaglutide.
The analysis showed that semaglutide significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared with placebo.
Key findings:
• Hazard ratio for MACE: 0.82
• 95% confidence interval: 0.75 – 0.90
This means patients using semaglutide had an 18% lower risk of major cardiovascular events compared to placebo when added to standard diabetes care.
Why Cardiovascular Risk Matters in Type 2 Diabetes
Cardiovascular disease is one of the most serious complications of type 2 diabetes.
In Canada:
• Approximately 40% of heart attacks are linked to diabetes
• Around 30% of strokes occur in people with diabetes
These numbers highlight why managing cardiovascular risk is critical in diabetes care.
Medications like Ozempic and Rybelsus are helping shift diabetes treatment beyond simply controlling blood sugar to also protecting the heart and blood vessels.
Expert Perspective on Ozempic Cardiovascular Benefits
According to Dr. Lawrence Leiter, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and co-author of the SUSTAIN 6 trial:
“Over the past decade, cardiovascular outcomes trials such as SUSTAIN 6 have fundamentally changed diabetes management. Therapies like semaglutide can meaningfully reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and nonfatal strokes, in people living with type 2 diabetes.”
This represents an important advancement for patients with diabetes and their families, as it allows physicians to treat both blood sugar levels and cardiovascular risk simultaneously.
What This Means for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
For people living with type 2 diabetes, the updated approval means:
• Ozempic can now be prescribed to reduce heart attack and stroke risk
• Rybelsus tablets provide a non-injectable semaglutide option
• Doctors can integrate cardiovascular protection into diabetes treatment plans
Patients with type 2 diabetes who also have cardiovascular disease or kidney disease may benefit the most from these therapies.
However, treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.
Talk to Your Pharmacist or Doctor
If you have type 2 diabetes and are concerned about cardiovascular risk, it may be helpful to discuss whether semaglutide medications like Ozempic or Rybelsus are appropriate for your treatment plan.
A pharmacist or physician can help review:
• Your diabetes medications
• Your heart disease risk
• Your kidney health
• Potential benefits and side effects of semaglutide
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References
1. Novo Nordisk Canada. Health Canada approves Ozempic (semaglutide injection) to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with type 2 diabetes. March 2, 2026.
2. Novo Nordisk Canada. Ozempic (semaglutide injection) Product Monograph. Mississauga, ON; February 25, 2026.
3. Novo Nordisk Canada. Rybelsus (semaglutide tablets) Product Monograph. Mississauga, ON; December 31, 2025.