Medication adherence in relation with physical activity in hypertensive patients : data from a behavioral cardiology unit

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background/Introduction Few studies have examined the relationship between exercise and adherence to antihypertensive medication, examining all possible factors contributing to blood pressure control. Purpose The purpose of our study was to access the possible dependence relationship among hypertensive patients visiting the Behavioral Cardiology Unit in a Tertiary Hospital. Methods The study population consisted of patients reporting to the Behavioral Cardiology Unit in a Tertiary Hospital during a period of 6 months in 2021. In terms of holistic approach, all patients underwent a thorough clinical in-depth interview, using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS8), the Frail Questionnaire Screening Tool (Frailty Score) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). All patients also provided full history of exercise (at least 150 minutes of physical activity or 75 minutes of intense activity per week), while completing the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI). Results The population consisted of 42 hypertensive patients, 54.8% of them were females, with a mean age of all patients at 55.8±15.2 years. Body Mass Index was averaging at 27.6 kg/m2. Salt consumption above the daily suggested amount (>5gr/day) was reported by 60% of patients, binge drinking by 43% of them, while 43% had a history of active smoking. High adherence was reported by 17 patients (46%), medium adherence by 14 (37.8%) and low adherence by 6 (16.2%). Results indicate a relationship between exercise and adherence to medication. More specifically, Chi-Square test showed statistical significance between exercise and medium medication adherence in MMAS8 (MMAS8: 6-7, p=0.033). Moreover, statistical analysis showed significant relationship between exercise, frailty and PHQ-4 score. Particularly, patients with absence of exercise showed higher level of PHQ-4 score (F=7.07, p=0.011). Conclusions Our study highlights the possible dependency relationship of exercise and adherence to medication. Results indicate that patients with good adherence to medication have better behavioral activation. There is need for further research in this domain, to confirm the findings.

Patient Knowledge, Medication Adherence, and Influencing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study among Hypertensive Patients in Greece

“…Moreover, research on true resistant arterial hypertension revealed that 25% of patients did not adhere to prescribed medications [31]. Notably, better medication adherence has been associated with improved behavioral activation [32], while another study found high medication adherence rates among 63% of respondents [33]. These findings underscore the importance of addressing medication adherence in hypertension management and highlight the need for further research into associated factors.…”

Physical activity influences adherence to pharmacological treatments in patients with severe mental disorders: results from the multicentric, randomized controlled LIFESTYLE trial

“…One of these innovative strategies is represented by the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviours, including regular physical activity. A recent study carried out in a cardiology unit involving patients suffering from hypertension has shown the positive effect of regular physical activity on adherence to medications ( Fragoulis et al, 2023 ) after a behavioral activation intervention. Thus, the authors concluded that there is the need for innovative research in this field for further confirmation of the positive relationship between treatments’ adherence and physical activity.…”