Don’t Stop Those Meds!

After a heart attack, most patients are prescribed a number of medications – aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, and so on. These are the cornerstone of secondary prevention – having another heart attack or stroke. However, it seems that many patients stop taking them over time.

Doctors from Duke University found that only 70% of heart disease patients consistently took aspirin over the 7 years following their attack, and the use of statins and beta-blockers was even worse. Most alarming about their study, however, was the fact that in half the instances the family physician had stopped prescribing the drugs in question. This may have been because the patients reported side effects, and the doctor did not persevere in looking for a suitable substitute.

It seems that both patients and doctors need to be reminded about the benefits of secondary prevention; it really does help. If you’re thinking of dropping a medication based on your personal experience with it, have a good discussion with your doctor first.