Health System Factors and Antihypertensive Adherence in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Cohort of New Users

Abstract

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and costs more than $315 billion each year in health care costs and loss in productivity.^1,2 Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease, and modest reductions in blood pressure have been associated with significant reductions in the risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as stroke, coronary heart disease, and death.³ Despite the widespread availability of clinically efficacious medications for treating hypertension, fewer than one-third of patients with hypertension achieve recommended levels of blood pressure control.⁴