A Nature Communications study found glucagon‑like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) activates ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in coronary pericytes, revealing a previously unrecognized cardioprotective mechanism. The work shifts some focus from cardiomyocytes to pericytes in understanding how incretin hormones modulate coronary microcirculation and ischemic resilience. Authors demonstrate that GLP‑1 signaling opens KATP channels, improving microvascular perfusion and limiting ischemic injury in preclinical models. This mechanistic insight may help interpret cardiovascular benefits seen with GLP‑1 receptor agonists in clinical trials and inform next-generation cardiometabolic therapeutics. Further work is needed to connect pericyte KATP activation to clinical endpoints in humans and to determine how this mechanism interacts with systemic metabolic effects of GLP‑1 therapies.