Explaining medications can save lives

Aug 17, 2010 6:00 AM

Stroke is one of those illnesses that doesn’t seem to be treated as seriously as it should. But if you know someone who’s had a stroke, or have had one yourself, you’ll know stroke can devastate lives, causing problems with all sorts of everyday activities including walking, dressing yourself, speaking, and thinking, depending on the part of the brain affected.

The most crucial time for many people is in the days, weeks, and first few months after they have a stroke, or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack). That’s when you’re most at risk of a repeat stroke, which can cause further disability and damage or even death.

So it’s vitally important that people get the best care in those early months to help them avoid having a repeat stroke.

That’s why I was alarmed by a new study that shows that 1 in 4 Americans who’ve had a stroke have stopped taking at least one medication within three months of leaving the hospital. Now, there could be many reasons for that. Taking multiple medications can be a hassle, and means you’re more likely to experience side effects. The cost of filling repeat prescriptions is an issue for some folks, particularly those without medical insurance.

But one thing jumped out at me from the study. People were far more likely to continue taking all their medications as prescribed, if they had a good understanding of what they were for. I can understand that. Like many people, whenever I’m asked to do something, the first thing I want is to know the reason why. Taking a bunch of pills every day without knowing what they’re for would soon seem like more trouble than it was worth.

Taking time to explain a complex medication regime to a patient may seem like a big deal to a busy health care professional. But, if that explanation means they continue taking vital medications, it could just be a life-saver.

What you need to know. If you don’t really know why you’re taking a medication, talk to your doctor. You may find it’s something you don’t need any more—or you might discover that it’s really important. Finding out more about the treatments you take makes it easier to make good decisions about your health care. Subscribers can find out more about medications to prevent stroke, with our treatment ratings.

—Anna Sayburn, patient editor, BMJ Group

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