Multiple GLP-1 receptor agonists including liraglutide, semaglutide, and dulaglutide demonstrated significant reductions in cardiovascular events in large-scale clinical trials, marking a breakthrough beyond their original diabetes indication. These injectable medications typically reduce HbA1c by 0.5-0.8%, but their cardiovascular protection appears independent of glucose control alone. The cardiovascular benefits represent a paradigm shift in diabetes care, as previous incretin-based therapies like DPP-4 inhibitors showed safety but no event reduction. This suggests GLP-1 receptor activation triggers cardioprotective mechanisms beyond glycemic control—potentially through direct effects on cardiac tissue, inflammation reduction, or vascular function improvement. The emergence of oral GLP-1 receptor agonists removes injection barriers, potentially expanding access. Tirzepatide's dual GLP-1/GIP receptor approach achieves superior metabolic outcomes with greater weight loss, though cardiovascular endpoint data remains pending. For adults with diabetes or cardiovascular risk, these findings establish GLP-1 receptor agonists as cardioprotective agents rather than merely glucose-lowering drugs. However, the specific mechanisms driving cardiovascular benefits remain incompletely understood, and real-world effectiveness outside clinical trial populations requires continued evaluation.