{"id":15078,"date":"2019-11-26T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2019-11-26T14:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/?p=15078"},"modified":"2019-11-25T21:51:48","modified_gmt":"2019-11-26T03:51:48","slug":"high-out-of-pocket-costs-can-make-lifesaving-medications-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans-with-cardiovascular-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/2019\/11\/26\/high-out-of-pocket-costs-can-make-lifesaving-medications-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans-with-cardiovascular-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"High out-of-pocket costs can make lifesaving medications out of reach for millions of Americans with Cardiovascular Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AmericanDallas, TX<\/strong> – One in 8 adults with common heart diseases and stroke<\/a> skip taking medications, delay filling prescriptions or take lower doses than prescribed because of concerns about cost, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association\u2019s journal Circulation.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe out-of-pocket cost of medications is a huge issue for millions of high-risk patients with cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks<\/a>, stroke,<\/a> angina<\/a> and other conditions,”  Khurram Nasir, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., senior author of the study, chief of the division of cardiovascular prevention and wellness and co-director of the Center for Outcomes Research at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Texas.<\/p>\n

\"Not<\/a>

Not taking medications as prescribed because of cost is 3 times more common in people under 65 years of age than in older people covered by Medicare. (American Heart Association)<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

“When faced with the expenses of taking lifesaving medications as prescribed or not taking them because they are too costly, many choose not to take them,” Nasir stated.<\/p>\n

Not taking pills at the dose or the interval prescribed, called medication non-compliance, is a known problem for people with cardiovascular diseases. It often means they need more expensive care later because they become sicker and are more likely to need care in an emergency room, be hospitalized or have more frequent doctor\u2019s appointments.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile non-compliance has several causes, in recent years the rising share of health care costs paid directly by patients has become a concern. We wanted to understand the scope of medication non-compliance due to costs,\u201d said Nasir.<\/p>\n

The investigators analyzed survey responses from 14,279 adults (average age 65, 44 % female) who took part in the National Health Interview Survey between 2013 and 2017. All had previously been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, heart-related chest pain, a heart attack or a stroke.<\/p>\n

The researchers found that, during the previous year:<\/strong><\/p>\n