Starting and staying on preventive medication for cardiovascular disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular disease prevention
• Qualitative health research
• Medication adherence

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality globally.
• Effective prevention strategies often involve long-term medication use.
• Understanding factors influencing medication adherence is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize qualitative research on medication use for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention.
• To explain variations in healthcare professional (HCP) and patient behaviors related to CVD medications.
• To evaluate the implications of these behaviors for clinical practice and public health.

Main Methods:

• Systematic synthesis of qualitative research literature.
• Analysis of factors influencing the decision to initiate preventive medication.
• Examination of influences on the continuation of prescribed CVD medications.

Main Results:

• Patient-HCP relationships and healthcare service design significantly impact medication initiation.
• Both patients and HCPs are influenced by evidence understanding, personal values, and socioeconomic contexts.
• Service design affects medication uptake through clinical communication and community tailoring.
• Continuation of medication is influenced by contextual and practical factors.
• Effective strategies extend beyond education to address service organization and social contexts of evidence translation.

Conclusions:

• Qualitative research offers vital insights into the decision-making processes surrounding CVD medication prescription and adherence.
• Understanding patient and HCP experiences within their specific contexts is essential for successful CVD prevention strategies.
• Implications for practice include optimizing clinical services and addressing socioeconomic barriers to medication adherence.