GLP-1-Based Therapies for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Kazakhstan: Evidence, Affordability, Equity and Implementation Considerations

Kulzhan Berikkhanova, Isah Inuwa, Yessenkhan Sultan, Nurzhan Berikkhanov, Saule Rakhimova, Ainur R. Akilzhanova

2026

Full text Open access: Gold Metadata (CSL-JSON)
DOI 10.3390/jcm15208190
Data confidence 85 high
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Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide and is the principal cause of death in low- and middle-income countries. Although cardiovascular outcome trials have established the benefits of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events, the translation of this evidence into routine clinical practice in Central Asia remains limited and underexplored. Specifically, in Kazakhstan, despite measurable improvements in cardiac infrastructure over the past decade, critical gaps persist in early diagnosis, cardiometabolic risk stratification, and the integration of newer pharmacological strategies into routine practice. In this review, we aim to evaluate the potential role of GLP-1-based therapies within the current cardiovascular prevention landscape in Kazakhstan. It also synthesizes current mechanistic evidence and findings from major clinical trials supporting the use of GLP-1RAs as cardiometabolic agents with potential cardiovascular benefits. Furthermore, we examine the practical factors that may influence their adoption within Kazakhstan’s health system, including accessibility, affordability, clinician preparedness, prescribing capacity, regulatory considerations, and policy integration. By integrating evidence from cardiovascular outcome trials, clinical studies, and health-system perspectives, this review seeks to provide a balanced assessment of the potential contribution of GLP-1-based therapies to cardiovascular risk reduction in Kazakhstan while identifying priorities for future research, implementation strategies, and health policy development.