The hidden link. The real risks. The new solutions
Obesity is more than excess weight. It’s a metabolic condition that drives insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol – all central features of cardiometabolic syndrome.
At OneMedicine, we offer modern, medical support for weight loss, metabolic health, and prevention of long-term complications like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
What Is Cardiometabolic Syndrome?
Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a cluster of health risks that significantly increase your chances of:
✔ Type 2 diabetes
✔ Heart disease and stroke
✔ Fatty liver disease
✔ Vascular complications
These risks are linked by one core issue: insulin resistance, often triggered or worsened by obesity and inflammation.
How Obesity Triggers Cardiometabolic Syndrome
Central (abdominal) obesity is not just a cosmetic concern – it’s biologically active. It releases hormones and inflammatory signals that:
- Worsen insulin resistance
- Raise blood pressure
- Disrupt cholesterol metabolism
- Increase systemic inflammation
This domino effect raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, even in younger adults.
Health Risks of Obesity
Obesity increases the likelihood of:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure and heart disease
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- PCOS and fertility issues
- Osteoarthritis
- Certain cancers (e.g. colon, breast)
Early intervention helps reverse or prevent many of these.
Signs & Symptoms to Look For
You may have cardiometabolic syndrome if you have:
- Waist circumference > 102 cm (men), > 88 cm (women)
- Blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg
- Fasting blood glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L
- Triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L
- HDL cholesterol < 1.0 mmol/L (men), < 1.3 mmol/L (women)
Many people experience fatigue, cravings, brain fog, or difficulty losing weight – all signs of metabolic disruption.
Medical Assessment at OneMedicine
We offer comprehensive metabolic screening, including:
✔ HbA1c and fasting glucose
✔ Lipid profile
✔ Liver and thyroid function tests
✔ Insulin and inflammatory markers
✔ Blood pressure monitoring
✔ ECG (if indicated)
How We Treat Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk
1. Personalised Lifestyle Plans
We focus on sustainable, high-impact strategies:
- Nutrition: Mediterranean, low-carb or GLP-1-aligned plans
- Exercise: Movement that fits into real life
- Sleep: Optimised for hormone and weight regulation
- Stress: Mind-body techniques to lower cortisol
2. Prescription Weight Loss Medication
At OneMedicine, we prescribe safe, evidence-based weight loss treatments when appropriate, including:
Wegovy (semaglutide)
- Weekly injection
- Mimics GLP-1 hormone to reduce hunger and support insulin
- Shown to reduce body weight by 15%+
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Even greater weight loss in trials (up to 22%)
- Currently approved for type 2 diabetes, with obesity approval expected
These medications are suitable for patients with:
✔ BMI ≥ 30
✔ BMI ≥ 27 with related conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, PCOS)
Benefits include:
- Lower blood sugar
- Reduced cardiovascular risk
- Improved quality of life
Note: Not suitable for everyone – we assess medical history carefully.
3. Surgery Referrals (if indicated)
We refer eligible patients to trusted bariatric partners for surgical support.
Contraception, Pregnancy and Breast Feeding
If you’re able to get pregnant and are taking a GLP-1 medicine (like Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, or similar), it’s important to avoid becoming pregnant while on the medication. These medicines should not be used during pregnancy or when trying to conceive, as we don’t yet know if they are completely safe for a baby. In some animal studies, they caused harm to unborn babies.
✔ Use contraception while taking GLP-1 medications
✔ Stop the medicine for a set period before trying to get pregnant:
| Medicine | Brand Names | Stop Before Pregnancy |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus | At least 2 months |
| Tirzepatide | Mounjaro | At least 1 month |
| Liraglutide | Saxenda (and others) | Stop just before trying to conceive |
If you’re on Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and taking the pill, it may not work as well. So, use an extra method (like condoms) or switch to something like the coil or implant for at least 4 weeks after starting or increasing your dose.
GLP-1 medicines should not be used while breastfeeding either, due to lack of safety data.
Contraception
| Category | Wegovy (Semaglutide) | Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) |
|---|---|---|
| Impact on Oral Contraceptives | May reduce effectiveness | May reduce effectiveness |
| When to Use Backup Contraception (eg Condoms) | For 4 weeks after starting or increasing dose | For 4 weeks after starting or increasing dose |
| Preferred Contraception | LARC (e.g. implant, IUD) or additional barrier method | LARC or additional barrier method |
| Contraception Duration After Stopping Drug | Continue for 2 months post-discontinuation | Continue for 1 month post-discontinuation |
Pregnancy
| Factor | Wegovy | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Use in Pregnancy | Contraindicated | Contraindicated |
| Washout Before Conception | 2 months | 1 month |
| Action if Pregnancy Occurs | Discontinue immediately | Discontinue immediately |
Ongoing Support
You’re not left on your own. Our clinical team provides:
- Regular monitoring
- Lifestyle coaching
- Medication reviews
- Tailored adjustments as your body adapts
Why OneMedicine?
We’re a private GP clinic focused on evidence-based, personalised care. Our obesity and metabolic health service combines:
✔ Expert medical insight
✔ Cutting-edge treatments
✔ Compassionate, stigma-free support
Book a Consultation
Take control of your health, your energy, and your future.
At OneMedicine, we help you achieve lasting weight loss, reverse metabolic dysfunction, and feel better in your body — with or without medication.
Book your private GP consultation today.
