Heart failure patient adherence: epidemiology, cause, and treatment.

David J Whellan, Suzanne Adams, Paul S Corotto, Melissa M McCarey, Prateeti Khazanie

Journal: Heart failure clinics 2013;9(1):49-58

PMID: 23168317

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Poor adherence to therapeutic regimens is a significant impediment to improving clinical outcomes in the HF population. Typical rates of adherence to prescribed medications, low-sodium diets, and aerobic exercise programs remain lower than that needed to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with HF. Factors contributing to poor adherence include multiple comorbidities, clinical depression, and decreased cognitive functioning. HF education and programs to enhance self-management skills have improved patient quality of life but have yet to decrease mortality or rehospitalization rates significantly. Telemonitoring to improve adherence behaviors and self-management interventions within broader HF management programs have demonstrated significant clinical improvements in this population.

Address: UPMC Internal Medicine, UPMC Montefiore Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hfc.2012.09.004