The Open Hypertension Journal

2018, 10 : 41-45
Published online 2018 October 23. DOI: 10.2174/1876526201810010041
Publisher ID: TOHYPERJ-10-41

EDITORIAL
Suboptimal Adherence to Antihypertensive Treatment: Causes and Management

Stelina Alkagiet1 and Konstantinos Tziomalos2



ABSTRACT

Suboptimal adherence to antihypertensive treatment is very common and is associated with poor control of blood pressure and increased risk for cardiovascular events. Therefore, frequent evaluation of compliance is essential in all hypertensive patients. Simplifying treatment regimens, using fixed-dose combinations and long-acting agents improves adherence, facilitates achievement of treatment targets and reduces cardiovascular morbidity and healthcare expenditures. Accordingly, physicians should be educated to implement these changes in hypertensive patients, particularly in those who require multiple antihypertensive agents to achieve blood pressure controls and in those who receive additional medications for comorbidities.

Keywords:

Hypertension, Adherence, Compliance, Fixed-dose combination, Cost, Cardiovascular morbidity, Compliance indices.