Pharmacotherapy Advancement for Weight Management & Managing Obesity in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
CPE Credit: 0.5 Point | 
1 hour | 
03 Apr 2027
Overview
About
Obesity is a complex, chronic disease characterized by excess body fat that adversely affects health. Obesity is also a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), contributing to conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise globally and regionally, addressing obesity has become a key component of cardiovascular risk reduction in clinical practice.
Effective obesity management begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment, including measurement of body weight, calculation of body mass index (BMI), and evaluation of obesity-related comorbidities. In Asian populations, lower BMI thresholds are often used due to the higher risk of metabolic complications at comparatively lower BMI levels. Early identification and management of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnoea are essential in patients with obesity, particularly those with established cardiovascular disease or elevated cardiovascular risk.
While lifestyle modification—including dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioural interventions—remains the cornerstone of weight management, many patients find it difficult to achieve or maintain meaningful weight loss through lifestyle measures alone. In such cases, pharmacotherapy can play an important role as an adjunct treatment to support sustained weight reduction and improve cardiometabolic health.
Several pharmacological options are now available to assist in weight management, with different mechanisms of action such as appetite suppression, enhanced satiety, or reduced fat absorption. Some therapies have also demonstrated benefits beyond weight loss, including improvements in glycaemic control, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and cardiovascular outcomes. Understanding the indications, mechanisms, safety considerations, and potential benefits of these medications is essential for healthcare professionals when selecting appropriate treatment strategies.
This e-learning module provides an evidence-based overview of obesity pharmacotherapy and its role in managing patients with cardiovascular risk. By comparing available pharmacologic options and outlining practical considerations for their use, the module aims to support healthcare professionals in developing personalised, patient-centred treatment plans that promote sustainable weight loss and improved cardiovascular health.
Lecture 1:
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
- Describe the underlying pathogenesis of obesity, including hormonal, genetic, and environmental contributors.
- Conduct a comprehensive clinical evaluation of obesity, including Asian BMI classification and assessment of obesity-related comorbidities.
- Identify evidence-based pharmacologic treatments for obesity, including indications for use and patient selection criteria.
- Explain the mechanism of action, administration, benefits, and adverse effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogues (GLP-1 RAs).
Topics covered
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Introduction
- Definition
- Etiology
- Global and local burden of disease
- Pathogenesis
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Evaluation
- Body Mass Index (BMI) cut-off points for Asians
- Other anthropometric measurements
- History, physical examination, and laboratory tests
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Pharmacotherapy
- Therapeutic benefits of weight loss
- Stepwise approach to treatment of obesity
- Weight loss medications in Singapore
- Dose adjustment
Speaker:
Dr Pipin Kojodjojo MBBS PhD
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
Lecture 2:
Weighing In on Heart Health: Managing Obesity in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module, learners should be able to:
- Define and classify obesity.
- Describe the prevalence of obesity in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Emphasize obesity as a major modifiable risk factor for CVD and its impact on specific CVD manifestations.
- Identify evidence-based lifestyle interventions for weight management in patients with CVD.
- Evaluate the role of pharmacologic therapies in the management of obesity in patients with established CVD.
- Discuss the benefits and risks of intragastric and surgical interventions for obesity in the context of CVD.
- Recognize the emotional and mental toll of breaking bad news on healthcare providers and implement appropriate coping strategies.
Topics covered
- Introduction
- Overview of Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease
- Prevalence of Obesity in Cardiovascular Disease
- The Relationship Between Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease
- Management of Obesity in Cardiovascular Disease
- Non-pharmacologic Treatment
- Pharmacologic Treatment
- Intragastric and Surgical Interventions
Speaker:
Dr. Yeo Colin
MBBS (Singapore), FRCP (Edinburgh), DRCPSC
Senior Consultant, Cardiology
Changi General Hospital, Singapore
1 CPE Point Available
- Score at least 70% on the quiz.
- A certificate can be downloaded upon successful completion of the quiz. Please use the information on the certificate and submit it to the Pharmacy Council website within 2 weeks after completing the course to claim your CPE points.
Keywords: obesity, pathophysiology of obesity, management of obesity, obesity pharmacotherapy, cardiovascular disease, obesity-related cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk, weight loss benefits, obesity pharmacotherapy
This module is accredited by:
