A commonly prescribed diabetes medication may do more than just lower blood sugar—it could also help protect the heart. New research from the University of Leeds reveals that Empagliflozin, a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes, may significantly improve heart function in people living with the condition.
Type 2 diabetes affects an estimated 3.7 million people in the UK. Over time, the disease can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of serious heart problems like heart attacks and heart failure. People with diabetes are two to three times more likely to develop heart and circulatory conditions, making heart health a critical concern for patients and doctors alike.
In this small but important study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, researchers monitored 18 people with Type 2 diabetes who were already prescribed Empagliflozin. Over a 12-week period, the team studied how the drug affected the heart’s function.
At the beginning of the study, participants underwent MRI heart scans and blood tests, which showed that their hearts had lower energy levels and were less efficient at pumping blood compared to people without diabetes. This confirmed what other studies have suggested—that diabetes can weaken the heart’s performance.
After three months of taking Empagliflozin, the follow-up tests showed notable improvements. Most patients experienced better heart energy levels and improvements in how much blood their hearts were pumping with each beat.
One of the most striking findings was a 61% average reduction in a blood marker called NT-proBNP, which is often elevated in people with heart failure. Lower levels suggest reduced strain on the heart.
Dr. Sharmaine Thirunavukarasu, who led the research, explained:
“It’s crucial that we find treatments that don’t just control blood sugar but also protect the heart. Our study offers encouraging evidence that Empagliflozin might do both.”
One of the trial participants, 72-year-old Barry Simmons from Leeds, shared his experience. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 12 years ago, Barry had struggled to keep his blood sugar in check. After taking Empagliflozin during the study, he noticed dramatic improvements—not just in his blood sugar, but in his heart health, blood pressure, and weight.
“I was amazed when I found out my heart’s blood flow had improved by 18% in just three months,” he said. “This medication really changed my life.”
Empagliflozin belongs to a class of drugs known as SGLT2 inhibitors, which help remove excess glucose from the body through urine. While its main role is to lower blood sugar, studies like this suggest it may offer wider benefits—especially for the heart.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, called the results “promising” but emphasized the need for larger trials.
“This research adds to growing evidence that Empagliflozin could be a powerful tool not just for managing diabetes, but also for protecting the heart,” he said.
Though the study involved only a small number of participants, it could have significant implications for how doctors treat the millions living with Type 2 diabetes. If future studies confirm these heart benefits in larger groups, Empagliflozin may become a go-to medication not just for managing blood sugar—but also for keeping hearts healthy and reducing the risk of heart failure.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with diabetic neuropathic pain.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that Vitamin E could help reduce blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetes, and results showing eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
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