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Medication Non-adherence: a Major Cause of Resistant Hypertension

  • Hypertension (DS Geller and DL Cohen, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Cardiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

As the global burden of hypertension continues to rise, it remains suboptimally controlled despite increased awareness. Poor medication adherence is a well-recognized although underestimated contributing factor of uncontrolled hypertension. This review focuses on medication non-adherence as an important cause of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension and its impact on patient’s well-being.

Recent Findings

In addition to biochemical screening, electronic technology—including electronic medication packaging devices such as medication event monitoring system, device integrated care delivery systems like digital medicine, and blood pressure telemonitoring—provides reliable objective data that enables healthcare providers to make decisions that enhance adherence and improve blood pressure control.

Summary

Consistent medication adherence is a key factor to sustained blood pressure control. Evaluation and correct assessment for adherence should be an integral part of management of patients with apparent treatment-resistant hypertension. Clinicians need to recognize key clues linked to suboptimal adherence or non-adherence that can result in poor outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine Thomas Jefferson University, 833 Chestnut Street Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    S. Mehrdad Hamrahian

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Correspondence to S. Mehrdad Hamrahian.

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Hamrahian, S.M. Medication Non-adherence: a Major Cause of Resistant Hypertension. Curr Cardiol Rep 22, 133 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-020-01400-3

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