Improving the Pathway From Cardiovascular Medication Prescribing to Longer-Term Adherence

Abstract

tion, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) recommendations and an equal proportion of patients eligible for aspirin based on American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines were not receiving these therapies. Although the study time period overlapped with the publication dates of these guidelines, basic recommendations for primary prevention have not changed dramatically for many years, and therefore the results of Nasir et al are very consistent with the existing literature about missed opportunities for prevention. This study also demonstrates the somewhat fine balance between “underuse” and “overuse” of medical therapies and thus has implications for efforts to improve health care quality. As expected, the use of primary prevention increased over time in patients who were considered appropriate candidates for treatment. However, after receiving CACS results, a substantial proportion of patients for whom guidelines do not recommend therapy were also started on these treatments.