New Research Demonstrates Substantial Improvement in Markers of Cardiovascular Disease Risk While Also Decreasing Use of Antihypertensive Medication
SAN FRANCISCO, California—May 2, 2018: Virta Health, the first company with a clinically-proven treatment to safely and sustainably reverse type 2 diabetes (T2D) and other chronic metabolic diseases without the use of medications or surgery, today announced the publication of new peer-reviewed research in Cardiovascular Diabetology on the cardiovascular benefits of the Virta Treatment. For trial participants living with T2D, the Virta Treatment demonstrated statistically significant improvements in 22 of 26 markers of cardiovascular disease risk, including blood pressure, while reducing dependence on blood pressure medications. In contrast, those following their usual T2D care experienced no significant improvement in any of the same 26 parameters.
Cardiovascular disease, a common T2D comorbidity, affects more than 1 in 3 adults (92.1 million) in the U.S. and costs the nation over $316 billion. Beyond the improvements in blood pressure, the Virta Treatment produced an 11.9% improvement in the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score, a 39% reduction in inflammation, and in many cases, resolution of atherogenic dyslipidemia. Obesity, liver function, LDL partitioning, and insulin resistance were also improved.
“Traditional approaches to chronic disease have conditioned patients to think pharmaceuticals are essential and that negative side effects are unavoidable. The Virta Treatment is changing this status quo,” said Sami Inkinen, CEO and Co-founder of Virta Health. “Our patients aren’t forced to choose between lowering their blood sugar but worsening other conditions like cardiovascular disease. They also don’t have to rely on expensive drugs or complex medical procedures as their only treatment options.”
Virta’s cardiovascular results come on the heels of recently released peer-reviewed outcomes that showed at 1-year, the Virta Treatment produced T2D reversal rates of 60% while helping 94% of insulin users either reduce or eliminate usage altogether. In conjunction with these benefits, the Virta Treatment helps payers save an estimated $9,600 on medical and pharmaceutical costs per patient in the first two years alone."
Among all the improvements seen, what is incredibly encouraging is that the Virta Treatment improves blood pressure while removing antihypertensive medications," said Dr. Ethan Weiss, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco and a member of the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI). "With improvements across the board in cardiovascular risk factors, the Virta Treatment provides real hope to substantially reduce CVD complications in those living with type 2 diabetes."
For more information on the cardiovascular benefits of the Virta Treatment and to view the full paper, please visit www.virtahealth.com.
Virta Health delivers the first clinically-proven treatment to safely and sustainably reverse type 2 diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases without the use of medications or surgery. At one year, 60% of patients in our clinical trial achieved diabetes reversal, 94% of insulin users reduced or eliminated usage altogether and 83% of patients remained active in the trial. Results extended beyond diabetes reversal, with sustained improvements in blood pressure, inflammation, cardiovascular markers, insulin resistance and weight loss. For enterprises, Virta saves nearly $10,000 per patient in medical expenses over the first 24 months while tying treatment fees to successful outcomes. The Virta Treatment, delivered through a technology-enabled online clinic, will help millions of people get their lives back while making type 2 diabetes a thing of the past. To learn more, visit www.virtahealth.com or follow us on Twitter @virtahealth.