Longer Prescription Regimens May Help Cardiac Patient Medication Adherence

One recent study's findings show that when elderly cardiac patients were prescribed heart medication for 60 days or longer at discharge, they were 4 times more likley to adhere to the drug regimen than those who were prescribed for 30 days. Science World Report says:

A latest study reveals a strong association between longer prescriptions at discharge and long term adherence to it in elderly cardiac patients.

According to the study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, elderly cardiac patients prescribed heart medications for 60 days or longer at discharge are four times more likely to adhere to the drug regime than patients who are given the same medications for 30 days.

The study conducted at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and Women's College Hospital (WCH), suggests that the prescriptions given for a longer interval of time are not just effective but also patient centered.

"Studies show that adherence to cardiac medications after a cardiac event like a heart attack declines over time. But we know that taking these medications for the long-term is absolutely essential for preventing further cardiac events," said Dr. Noah Ivers, lead author of the study and family physician at Women's College Hospital. "This study shows that longer prescriptions for cardiac patients after leaving hospital increase the likelihood that patients will take the medications for the long term, which may reduce their risk of heart attacks, stroke or even death."

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