Suboptimal Adherence to Antihypertensive Treatment: Causes and Management

Stelina Alkagiet,Konstantinos Tziomalos

doi:10.2174/1876526201810010041

Abstract

Suboptimal adherence to antihypertensive treatment is very common and is associated with poor control of blood pressure and increased risk for cardiovascular events. Therefore, frequent evaluation of compliance is essential in all hypertensive patients. Simplifying treatment regimens, using fixed-dose combinations and long-acting agents improves adherence, facilitates achievement of treatment targets and reduces cardiovascular morbidity and healthcare expenditures. Accordingly, physicians should be educated to implement these changes in hypertensive patients, particularly in those who require multiple antihypertensive agents to achieve blood pressure controls and in those who receive additional medications for comorbidities.

Highlights

Suboptimal adherence to antihypertensive treatment is very common and is associated with poor control of blood pressure and increased risk for cardiovascular events
The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology recently recommended an aggressive approach in the management of hypertension, characterizing as stage I hypertension systolic blood pressure [BP] > 130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP > 80 mmHg [2]
On a more conservative approach, the European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension consider as stage I hypertension systolic BP > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP > 90 mmHg [3]

Summary

Introduction

Suboptimal adherence to antihypertensive treatment is very common and is associated with poor control of blood pressure and increased risk for cardiovascular events. Antihypertensive treatment has been consistently shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality [4]. Despite the established benefits of antihypertensive treatment, a considerable proportion of patients with hypertension do not adhere to the prescribed antihypertensive therapy.

Results

Conclusion