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

NCT ID NCT05093959

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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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.

HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION

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

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