The Cardiovascular Logistics (CVL) platform boasts some of the most innovative cardiology practices in the country, all dedicated to transforming how cardiovascular care is delivered to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. In this Innovation Series article, we shine the spotlight on Capital Cardiology Associates (CCA) and its Enhanced Weight Management program—one of the first such programs in the US offered by a cardiology practice.
New Therapeutic Options Fuel a New Approach
Obesity has long been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is why many cardiologists counsel patients to manage their weight as part of an overall treatment plan. Until fairly recently though, physicians had few effective therapeutic options to include in a weight management program.
In search of a better approach, the premier cardiologists at CCA weren’t just waiting on the sidelines for a new pharmaceutical to hit the market. They were monitoring the pharmaceutical pipeline proactively and preparing to develop a unique weight management program with a pharmacist-driven protocol, incorporating effective medications into holistic treatment plans.
In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved semaglutide (initially approved for use in diabetes) for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. That set the stage for CCA to offer a broader range of therapeutic options as part of its unique weight management program concept, including other GLP-1 agonist medications like Saxenda (liraglutide), Zepbound/Mounjaro (tirzepatide) or Ozempic (semaglutide) if appropriate, as well as drugs like Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone).
More recently, the landmark SELECT (Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes) trial showed that Wegovy (semaglutide) also reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death by 20% in people with existing cardiovascular risk who are obese or overweight. The clinical trial results led to the FDA’s recent approval of Wegovy for this new indication—marking the first time an efficacious weight loss drug has been shown to offer cardiovascular benefits, and making this therapeutic an even more valuable part of CCA’s holistic treatment plans.
The Value of a Multidisciplinary Approach
CCA launched the Enhanced Weight Management program in April 2021, and just three years later the program serves over 1,000 patients in the New York Capital Region. Grounded in a multi-disciplinary approach and led by Dr. Kate Cabral, CCA’s director of metabolic services and a doctor of pharmacy, the program brings together all the disciplines required for safe and effective medical weight loss, including nutrition, exercise, behavioral modifications, and medications as appropriate. A diverse team of specialists—including cardiologists, clinical pharmacists, registered dietitians and health coaches—all lend their expertise to this unique program.
Most cardiology practices don’t have the staff or infrastructure to provide such an intensive level of personalized support for weight management. But CCA made a significant investment in this innovative program because the partners recognized the importance of a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to weight management. Rather than prescribe the newest drugs in a vacuum or recommend lifestyle changes without considering therapeutics, the team collaborates to determine the best course of action for each individual. That means looking at everything from diet to stress levels to sleep disorders to determine how to best reduce each patient’s cardiovascular health risks while helping them achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
When a CCA cardiologist refers a patient to the weight management program, the team’s pharmacist initially meets with the patient to discuss the program’s approach and the full range of services available. Then the team engages in a shared decision-making model to develop the most effective treatment plan for the individual. Each plan includes actionable strategies and evidence-based interventions that help patients improve their health and quality of life, ranging from dietary changes to physical activity, stress management, and behavior modifications.
Since Wegovy requires periodic titration, CCA requires monthly check-ins for patients who are prescribed this medication. The check-ins allow the team to monitor weight loss progress, determine if the patient is experiencing any side effects, and decide how to adjust the dosage. Each patient also receives a remote monitoring device that tracks key vitals, along with access to healthy lifestyle services like cooking classes and discounts on healthy meal home delivery and Capital District YMCA membership.
Setting the Stage for Growth
This innovative program is so successful that it often attracts patients who are prescribed a weight loss drug by a primary care physician or a different cardiology practice, but who want more comprehensive support along their journey to better health. It’s also spurred other service lines at CCA, including an intensive cardiology rehab program—just one more way the CCA team is supporting its patients in the most comprehensive way.
With the newest weight loss medications continually demonstrating more health benefits, the cardiologists at CCA believe these therapeutics will become even more important in improving a patient’s overall health. The fact that Wegovy was shown to reduce the risk of kidney disease-related events by 24% in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease lends additional credence to incorporating this therapeutic into an overall cardiovascular health program. With Zepbound (tirzepatide) approved by the FDA in November 2023 for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related condition, the CCA team now has more therapeutics in its toolkit. And with several new compounds in the pharmaceutical pipeline, other premier cardiology practices are likely to follow CCA’s lead in building an innovative, multidisciplinary program to help patients lose weight as they improve their cardiovascular wellness and quality of life.
Partner with the Cardiovascular Innovation Leaders
Initiatives like the CCA Enhanced Weight Management Program underscore CVL’s commitment to continually advancing cardiovascular care—a key reason why premier practices that strive to bring the most promising cardiovascular innovations to their patients are joining the CVL platform.
CVL has both the drive and the capital to invest in innovations that advance cardiovascular medicine and improve patient care. As a CVL partner practice, you’ll join a growing network with the substantial resources and scale to prioritize innovations that directly affect health outcomes and transform how cardiovascular care is delivered in the US.
Contact CVL to learn how partnering with our platform can help you leverage the latest cardiovascular care innovations for the benefit of your patients.
