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Published on: August 12, 2014

Long-term adherence with cardiovascular drug regimens

Sonali P Kulkarni1, Karen P Alexander, Barbara Lytle

  • 1Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA.

American Heart Journal
|December 22, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Many patients with coronary artery disease stop taking prescribed cardiovascular medications within a year. Adherence is linked to mental health, education, marital status, and the number of medications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Patient Adherence Research

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) patients often receive multiple medications.
  • Poor medication adherence can significantly limit treatment benefits.
  • Optimizing adherence is crucial for effective CAD management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess adherence to evidence-based cardiovascular medications at one year post-discharge.
  • To identify predictors of medication nonadherence in CAD patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1326 CAD patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were studied.
  • Adherence to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, aspirin, beta-blockers (BBs), and statins was evaluated at 12 months via self-report.
  • Clinical and demographic factors associated with nonadherence were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • At discharge, aspirin (95%), BBs (86%), ACE inhibitors (65%), and statins (55%) were prescribed.
  • Medication discontinuation rates were highest for ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (28%) and statins (28%).
  • Only 54% of patients adhered to all prescribed medications; nonadherence was linked to older age, female sex, being unmarried, and lower education.

Conclusions:

  • A significant proportion of CAD patients discontinue prescribed medications within one year.
  • Adherence is influenced by psychosocial factors (marital status, mental health, education) and medication burden.
  • Healthcare providers should consider patient-specific factors to improve medication adherence in CAD.
Abstract

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