Poor medication adherence aggravates hypertension risks for African Americans
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Individuals who have hypertension can save money on their medical treatments by purchasing cheap Canadian drugs. Although medication is essential to preventing the complications of chronically high blood pressure, new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing suggests that African Americans who have hypertension are less likely to adhere to prescription instructions, a trend that is potentially causing 8,000 preventable deaths every year.
Only 51 percent of patients with high blood pressure take their required medications. However, that rate is even lower among African Americans, according to the new study. This may be responsible for several findings within this population.
Data shows that compared to white patients, African Americans with hypertension are 30 percent more likely to have a non-fatal stroke and 80 percent more likely to have a fatal stroke. Furthermore, the risk of end-stage kidney disease is 420 percent greater.
Several factors may be driving the low medication adherence rates.
"Increasing blood pressure control requires a comprehensive approach," said researcher Lisa M. Lewis, PhD, RN. "Given that self-efficacy and patient-provider communication are modifiable factors, they can be the focus of interventions to increase medication adherence. [Clinicians also] may want to screen their hypertensive patients for depression and treat if necessary."
The study is published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
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