New Trial Suggests Patients Are More Likely to Take Multiple Heart Medications if Combined in One Pill

Monday, 05 November 2012 00:00

LOS ANGELES, November 5, 2012

PCNA urges nurses to find new ways to effectively support patient compliance to medical therapies for CVD risk reduction

A new study released today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions indicates that people are much more likely to take multiple heart medications if they are all combined in a single pill known as a “polypill”.

The study, Use of a Multidrug Pill In Reducing cardiovascular Events (UMPIRE), shows that people who have suffered from or are at risk of heart attacks and need to take multiple medications are more likely to adhere to a single, simple, fixed dose combination pill. The study also showed improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol when the “polypill” is taken regularly.

According to the American Heart Association, in high-income countries only about 50 percent of people take all of their recommended heart medicines, and this rate is much lower in low and middle-income countries (about 5-20 percent compliance), indicating a significant need for solutions to improve medication adherence.

“The UMPIRE study demonstrates the importance of innovative methods to increase adherence to life saving medications for patients with CAD and stroke,” says Kathy Berra, MSN, NP, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN, of the Stanford Prevention Research Center and president elect of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, “These individuals require multiple guideline based medications to improve their outcomes. Having a single pill to manage will help significantly with both adherence and quality of life. Advances in medication management and adherence will both save lives and reduce morbidity from CAD and Stroke.”

More information about the UMPIRE trail

To learn more about heart disease prevention, visit www.pcna.net.

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Contact: Abby Despins, 920-606-2115, adespins@pcna.net

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