How to optimize the adherence to a guideline-directed medical therapy in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases: a clinical consensus statement from the European Association of Preventive Cardiology
Roberto F.E. Pedretti, Dominique Hansen, Marco Ambrosetti, Maria Bäck, Thomas Berger, Mariana Cordeiro Ferreira, Véronique Cornelissen, Constantinos H. Davos, Wolfram Doehner, Carmen de Pablo Zarzosa, Ines Frederix, Andrea Greco, Donata Kurpas, Matthias Michal, Elena Osto, Susanne S. Pedersen, Rita Esmeralda Salvador, Maria Simonenko, Patrizia Steca, David R. Thompson, Matthias Wilhelm, Ana Abreu
Abstract
A key factor to successful secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is optimal patient adherence to treatment. However, unsatisfactory rates of adherence to treatment for CVD risk factors and CVD have been observed consistently over the last few decades. Hence, achieving optimal adherence to lifestyle measures and guideline-directed medical therapy in secondary prevention and rehabilitation is a great challenge to many healthcare professionals. Therefore, in this European Association of Preventive Cardiology clinical consensus document, a modern reappraisal of the adherence to optimal treatment is provided, together with simple, practical, and feasible suggestions to achieve this goal in the clinical setting, focusing on evidence-based concepts.