Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2024; 121(11): e20240652
Adherence, Compliance and Persistency in High Cholesterol Treatment
This Short Editorial is referred by the Research article "Uncontrolled Cholesterol in Individuals with Severe Hypercholesterolemia in a Health Evaluation Program in Brazil".
Lack of adherence to cholesterol-lowering medications remains a critical issue in managing cardiovascular risk. Despite advancements in treatment, many patients fail to follow their prescribed regimens, leading to increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events. As described in the study, adherence challenges in the Brazilian population illustrate a global problem. However, there are several promising strategies for increasing adherence, including the active involvement of pharmacists and the distribution of medications in larger volumes through public or private healthcare systems.
Medication adherence, or the degree to which patients follow their prescribed regimens, is fundamental to achieving optimal health outcomes in chronic conditions like high cholesterol. Compliance is the consistency with which patients take their medication over time, while persistence refers to how long they continue treatment without interruption. Cholesterol-lowering drugs, particularly statins, are widely used to reduce cardiovascular risk, but non-adherence remains a barrier to their full effectiveness.
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Keywords: Adherence; Cholesterol; Compliance; Persistence; Treatment
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