Higher death rates in patients not taking heart medications

People who don’t take their heart medications as prescribed are at a higher risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Cardiology.

The study, led by researchers at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, looked at more than 340,000 patients who took statins for heart disease. The study found that heart disease patients who fail to take their statins correctly are three times more likely to die within a year than those who are compliant.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and statins are one of our most powerful tools to combat this epidemic,” says Steve Brooks, DO, cardiologist at Ascension Medical Group - Genesys Heart Institute in Grand Blanc. “There are multiple studies demonstrating that statins decrease the risk of heart attack, stroke and death in patients with heart disease. This study emphasizes the importance of adherence to these medications in this population.”

The patients in this study were treated in the Veterans Affairs Heath System in California, between January 1, 2013 to April of 2014. According to the study, patients taking a moderate regimen of statins were more likely to be more compliant than patients taking high intensity statin therapy. The study also shows that women, minorities and adults under the age of 65 were less likely to take their statin medications as prescribed.

For more information about treatments for heart disease at Ascension Genesys Hospital, call 810-606-7550.