Could a common diabetes drug help older heart failure patients move better?

NCT ID NCT05093959

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether metformin, a standard diabetes drug, could help older adults with a specific type of heart failure (HFpEF) feel better and move more easily. Over 20 weeks, 86 participants took either metformin or a placebo. Researchers measured exercise capacity, quality of life, and markers of inflammation and gut health.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

metformin

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple, affordable treatment to improve exercise ability and daily life for older adults with this type of heart failure.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 86 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Metformin can cause gastrointestinal side effects.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

diastolic heart failure heart failure Inflammation

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Atrium Health Sanger Heart and Vascular Clinic Institute

    Charlotte, North Carolina, 28203, United States

  • Wake Forest School of Medicine

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States