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Millions Take Blood Pressure Drugs, but Many May Be Missing Their Heart-Protective Benefits
SciTechDaily • • health
Key Points:
- New research presented at ESC Congress 2026 shows that consistent adherence to antihypertensive medication is crucial for its cardiovascular benefits, with missed doses reducing protection against heart attacks and strokes.
- Analysis of data from 91,339 participants in nine clinical trials revealed that those taking at least 80% of their medication experienced greater reductions in systolic blood pressure (5.2 mmHg) and an 11% decrease in major cardiovascular events compared to those with lower adherence.
- Medication adherence declined over time even in clinical trial settings, dropping from 88% in the first year to 79% by year five, highlighting challenges in maintaining consistent treatment.
- The study emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to prioritize adherence assessment and patient education, recommending simplified treatment regimens, combination pills, and longer-acting drugs to improve long-term medication use.
- Experts call for routine, non-judgmental discussions about medication barriers to address non-adherence, which remains a significant factor in uncontrolled hypertension and reduced treatment effectiveness.
