Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of death globally. While effective long-term medications that reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular disease are readily available, nonadherence to prescribed medications remains a significant reason for suboptimal management. Consequently, this might lead to increased morbidity and mortality and healthcare costs. Medication nonadherence causes are myriad and complicated, with factors at the patient, healthcare provider, and health system levels. Many clinical trials have investigated interventions to target these factors for improving medication adherence, including improving patient education, testing behavioral interventions, implementing medication reminder tools, reducing medication costs, utilizing social support, utilizing healthcare team members, and simplifying medication dosing regimens. This book chapter describes factors influencing medication adherence and highlights the impact of varying levels of adherence on patients’ clinical and economic outcomes. We also summarize interventions for improving medication adherence in cardiovascular disease.

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) have been mentioned by international medical literature as an option for treatment and pain relief for patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Several studies worldwide have recognized the efficacy of treating LDH with ESIs to be between 72-86%. Our study aimed to elucidate the ESIs technique's effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages. A 30-day pre-post study in 100 LDH patients underwent the ESIs technique. Patients meeting the criteria received physical examinations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before undergoing the method. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was applied to assess the patient's hospitalization condition after ESIs 1 day, 7 days, and 30 days. After 1 day of ESIs, 85% of patients responded well (10% excellent and 75% moderate), and this prevalence increased up to 95% after 7 days and 30 of follow-up. The ESIs safety assessment after 1 day of treatment recorded that 2% of patients had complications and 24% had medication side effects. After 7 days, 4% of patients had epigastric pain and no more complications. Treatment outcomes of ESIs were effective and high safety in patients with LDH.