Enhancing adherence of antihypertensive regimens in hypertensive African-Americans: current and future prospects

Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2012 Nov;10(11):1375-80. doi: 10.1586/erc.12.138.

Abstract

Patient adherence to antihypertensive medication is an important strategy for blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. However, rates of antihypertensive medication adherence among hypertensive African-Americans are unacceptably low. This article examines the current understanding of patient, clinical, provider and healthcare system factors associated with medication adherence in hypertensive African-Americans. Studies demonstrated that patient and clinical factors, such as self-efficacy and depression, are consistently associated with medication adherence in hypertensive African-Americans patients. Provider communication shows promise as a correlate of medication adherence, but more research on provider and healthcare system factors are still needed. The authors recommend that interventions targeted at increasing medication adherence among hypertensive African-Americans focus on self-efficacy. It is also imperative that clinicians screen hypertensive patients for depression and treat, if necessary.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Black or African American
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / ethnology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / ethnology
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / ethnology
  • Hypertension / psychology
  • Medication Adherence / ethnology*
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Self Efficacy
  • United States

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents