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 With Heart Failure — UK Medication Options
Losing weight can significantly improve heart failure symptoms and overall cardiovascular health. If you have heart failure and excess weight, prescription weight loss medications may be part of your treatment plan in the UK. This guide covers NHS-approved options, eligibility criteria, and how to access them through your GP or specialist services. Always discuss any weight management approach with your healthcare team first, as some medications require careful monitoring with heart conditions.
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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
Three prescription weight loss medications are licensed in the UK and may be considered for adults with heart failure and excess weight. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist given as a once-weekly injection. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, also injected once weekly. Saxenda (liraglutide) is a daily GLP-1 injection. All three require a prescription from a UK-licensed prescriber and a clinical assessment to confirm suitability.
In clinical trials, these medications helped adults lose an average of 15–21% of body weight when combined with diet and physical activity changes. Individual results vary significantly. Importantly, some weight loss medications have shown cardiovascular benefits beyond weight reduction alone — your GP or cardiologist will assess whether any option is appropriate for your specific heart condition and other medications you take.
Use our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore potential weight loss projections at different doses, and our BMI calculator to understand your current health metrics in the context of NHS weight guidelines.
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 Private Options in the UK
NHS access is through specialist tier 3 weight management services — your GP can refer you to your local service, though waiting lists vary by region. If your local NHS service is unavailable or has long waiting lists, private online prescribing is an alternative. A UK-licensed prescriber conducts a clinical assessment via online consultation; if approved, your prescription is dispensed by a GPhC-registered pharmacy.
With heart failure, your GP or cardiologist must confirm that weight loss medication is safe alongside your current treatment. Some heart medications interact with GLP-1 drugs — your prescriber will check this. Starting any weight loss medication should involve regular monitoring of your heart function, blood pressure, and symptoms. Never start weight loss medication without clinical assessment and ongoing GP support.
- 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 weight loss injections if I have heart failure?
Possibly, but only under medical supervision. GLP-1 medications require assessment by your GP or cardiologist to ensure they're safe with your heart condition and other medications. Some evidence suggests cardiovascular benefits, but individual assessment is essential. Never start without clinical approval.
How much weight do I need to lose to improve heart failure symptoms?
Even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can improve heart failure symptoms, reduce fluid retention, and lower blood pressure. Use our BMI calculator to understand your current weight context and discuss realistic, safe targets with your GP.
Will weight loss medication affect my heart medications?
Possibly. GLP-1 drugs may interact with certain blood pressure or diabetes medications, and they can slow stomach emptying — which affects how quickly oral medications are absorbed. Your prescriber will review all your current medications before approval.
How do I start prescription weight loss medication on the NHS?
Ask your GP for a referral to your local tier 3 weight management service. Services vary by region; some accept self-referrals. Private online prescribing is available if NHS access is delayed, though you should still involve your GP in your weight management plan.
Are there side effects I should know about with heart failure?
Common side effects include nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea. With heart failure, report any persistent chest discomfort, unusual shortness of breath, or changes in heart rhythm immediately to your GP or cardiologist, even if you suspect the medication isn't the cause.
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.