Medical experts have warned of a common mistake made by millions of people who take medication regularly, which increases the risk of death.
According to the Daily Mail, estimates from doctors suggest that hundreds of thousands of patients lose their lives each year due to non-adherence to treatment plans for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart diseases.
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This mistake, medically known as "non-adherence" to treatment, includes skipping a dose of medication or taking an incorrect dose by accident, whether it’s more or less than prescribed. The consequences can be severe, including the need for more intensive and expensive treatments, or even death.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) estimates that this error costs the healthcare system about £930 million annually.
In this context, the World Heart Federation (WHF) has issued a new warning regarding this issue, emphasizing that only half of patients with chronic diseases adhere to their treatment instructions in countries like the UK.
According to the WHF, non-adherence leads to an increase in hospital admissions, deterioration in health, and the death of approximately 200,000 patients annually in Europe.
Professor Jagat Narula, the President of the WHF, stated that doctors must make greater efforts to help patients adhere to their treatments, noting that the reasons behind this issue are complex and include “stigma,” communication barriers, and financial difficulties.
The federation estimated that improving adherence from 50 to 70 percent could save €330 million (£275 million) over 10 years in the European Union.
Many studies support this view, including a Chinese study that showed patients with heart attacks who fully followed their doctor’s instructions had a 39 percent lower chance of experiencing another heart attack.
