Cardiovascular disease (heart disease, stroke and vascular
disease) affects nearly one in five Australians and about 65% of
those take medicines for their condition. A new report released
today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,
Medicines for cardiovascular health: are they used
appropriately?, examines how these medicines are being
prescribed by GPs and used by patients, and finds some striking
disparities.
The report shows steady rises between 2000 and 2006 in the rate
of prescriptions for cholesterol lowering agents, blood pressure
lowering medicines and clot preventing medicines, which suggests
increasing 'best practice' by GPs in managing cardiovascular
conditions.
But it also shows that many patients stop taking medicines that
are intended to be taken long-term to prevent or treat
cardiovascular disease.
Susana Senes, of the Institute's Cardiovascular Disease and
Diabetes Unit, said that 10% to 25% of patients had discontinued
their medicines six months after starting treatment, and this rose
to 21% to 47% 24 months after first being prescribed
medication.
This may represent a significant lost opportunity to prevent
cardiovascular disease or delay its progression and complications,
with medicines known to be effective.
'Cost, side effects, treating conditions with no symptoms,
patients' lack of understanding of the condition or benefits of
treatment may all be contributing factors,' Ms Senes said.
Use of these medicines was shown to be lower for people in rural
areas, who are dispensed these medicines at half the rate of those
in cities.
'This rate drops to one-thirtieth or less in remote areas, and
this is despite higher deaths from cardiovascular disease in rural
and remote areas,' Ms Senes said.
While the report showed disparities in access to cardiovascular
medicines, some disparities reflect greater need.
'People with the least socioeconomic advantage were dispensed
some cholesterol lowering agents and some clot preventing medicines
at a higher rate compared with those with most advantage, which
reflects their higher rate of cardiovascular disease,' Ms Senes
said.
Adverse effects of cardiovascular and blood medicines were
associated with 301 deaths in 2004, and almost 28,500
hospitalisations in 2004-05 (most of these occurring in patients
aged 65 years or over).
23 May 2007
Further information: Ms Susana Senes, AIHW,
tel. 02 6244 1171 or mob. 0418 271 395
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of Medicines for
cardiovascular health: are they used appropriately?.