The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
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Weight Loss Support for Congestive Heart Failure in the UK
If you've been diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) and your GP has recommended weight management, prescription weight loss medication may be an option worth discussing. Weight management in heart failure is carefully managed to protect heart function, and any medication must be prescribed and monitored by your healthcare team. This guide explains UK-licensed options, eligibility criteria, and how to access support through the NHS or privately.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
UK-Licensed Weight Loss Medications for Heart Failure Patients
Three prescription weight loss medications are licensed in the UK and may be considered for eligible adults, though use in CHF requires careful medical assessment:
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist given once weekly by injection, approved for weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27+ with weight-related health conditions
- Wegovy (semaglutide) — a GLP-1 receptor agonist injected once weekly, with similar eligibility criteria to Mounjaro
- Saxenda (liraglutide) — a daily GLP-1 injection, also available for qualifying adults
All three work by reducing appetite and supporting feeling fuller after smaller meals. In clinical trials, these medications have helped participants lose weight when combined with dietary and lifestyle changes. However, any weight loss medication for CHF must be prescribed by a cardiologist or heart failure specialist, not a GP alone, because these medications affect fluid balance and heart function. Your prescriber will assess whether a medication is safe for your specific condition before starting treatment.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
NHS Access and How to Find Out If You're Eligible
In the UK, weight management support for heart failure is typically coordinated through your NHS cardiologist or heart failure clinic. If you're interested in prescription weight loss medication, the first step is to discuss this with your specialist at your next appointment. They will assess your heart function, current medications, and overall health to determine whether any medication is appropriate.
NHS prescription weight loss medication access depends on regional availability and your specialist's assessment. Waiting times vary significantly across the country. Alternatively, private online prescribing is available through UK-licensed prescribers, though any prescription still requires a clinical consultation and would need to be coordinated with your cardiologist to ensure safety.
Use our free BMI calculator above to track your current BMI, and keep a record to discuss at your next heart failure appointment. Your specialist may also discuss diet, exercise, fluid intake, and salt reduction — the cornerstone of CHF management.
Weight loss in CHF is complex because excess weight strains the heart, but gradual weight management or dehydration can also be harmful. This is why specialist oversight is essential. Your cardiologist will balance the benefits of gradual weight reduction with the need to protect your heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
If you're considering any weight loss approach — medication, diet, or exercise — always inform your heart failure team. Do not start any new medication, supplement, or significant dietary change without discussing it first with your specialist. Our weight converter and progress tracker can help you monitor your weight changes consistently over time, which is valuable information to share with your care team.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Can I take Mounjaro or Wegovy if I have congestive heart failure?
Only under specialist cardiologist supervision. These medications are not contraindicated in CHF, but they affect fluid balance and heart function, so they must be prescribed and monitored by your heart failure specialist, not your GP. Your cardiologist will assess your ejection fraction, current medications, and overall stability before considering any GLP-1 medication.
What weight loss rate is safe for someone with heart failure?
Gradual, steady weight loss of 0.5 to 1 kg per week is generally safer in CHF than rapid loss. Your cardiologist will advise based on your specific condition. gradual weight management or dehydration can stress the heart, so medical supervision is essential. Typical targets involve losing 5–10% of body weight over several months.
How do weight loss medications interact with heart failure drugs?
GLP-1 medications (Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda) can affect how quickly medicines are absorbed and may influence fluid balance. Your prescriber needs a complete list of your current heart medications (including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics) to assess safety and monitor you closely.
Is NHS weight loss medication available through my GP with heart failure?
No. Weight loss medication for CHF must be prescribed by a cardiologist or heart failure specialist, not a GP. You'll need to discuss this at your NHS heart failure clinic. Regional availability of weight management services varies, so ask your specialist directly about options.
What if I'm overweight with heart failure but not eligible for prescription medication?
Diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes remain the foundation of weight management in CHF. Your cardiologist and heart failure nurse will advise on safe dietary approaches, fluid restriction, and activity levels tailored to your heart function. These changes often produce significant benefits without medication.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.