Why is adherence to treatment important in dyslipidemia?

Medication will not work unless it is taken¹. This may sound obvious, yet every second, a patient is not taking their medication properly. But what does it mean to be adherent?

Adherence is the degree to which a patient follows a doctor’s prescription². As a patient suffering from dyslipidemia, being adherent means controlling your lipid levels. Put all the odds on your side:

• Start treatment: If your lipid profile tests display worrisome results, it may be necessary to begin treatment (which should be discussed with your doctor). It is important to talk with your doctor so he/she can find the best treatment solution for you. You may discuss with the doctor:
  • The benefits and risks of the treatment being offered
  • Your concerns
  • Challenges you may anticipate and possible solutions that may be found

Once you agree to a treatment, start it. It is the first step to your managing your condition.

• Follow the instructions of the doctor in terms of dosage and frequency of medicine: lower dosages of the medicine can be inefficient; a higher dosage can be harmful. It is also important to take the medicine at the prescribed intervals: if the prescription is for seven pills a week, once per day, taking seven pills altogether in one day does not mean you’re following the treatment. If you missed a dose or you think you have difficulties in following the treatment in the right way, solutions always exist. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor to discuss them.

• Take the treatment as long as it is prescribed. If the doctor prescribes you a treatment for an intended duration, it means that the medicine will be effective only if taken over that duration. Otherwise, it might be ineffective, harmful, or both. Some patients with dyslipidemia feel that the treatment is not adapted to them, which may indeed happen. If this is your case, do not stop treatment on your own. Talk to your doctor and explain the situation to them. Alternatives always exist; you just need to find what is right for you. As dyslipidemia is often asymptomatic, patients may decide to stop treatment because they feel fine or assume the issue is resolved. Regularly communicating with your doctor about test results to monitor cholesterol levels is essential for making informed treatment decisions together.

Besides, stopping the treatment may take away all the benefits that you have gotten so far. This means all the efforts you have made would have been for nothing.

Remember that adherence not only means medication adherence. It also means adopting a healthy lifestyle (link to articles on diet and physical exercises). When a doctor prescribes you a medication and gives you lifestyle advice, it often means that the results of your cholesterol treatment may not be obtained unless you do both. For example, moderating your intake of unhealthy fats, alcohol, or excess sugar is key when you suffer from high levels of cholesterol^5,6.

Adherence can save your money in dyslipidemia treatment

Adhering to treatment and controlling dyslipidemia is the best investment you can make (like all the investments in your health, for that matter). It can allow you to avoid some handicapping health problems, such as heart failure or attacks. An OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) study calculated that 1 USD invested in buying and taking medicine can save you 4 USD of dealing with avoidable complications of hyperlipidemia (high level of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood) ⁴.

Being adherent to the treatment is very important. If you experience difficulties maintaining adherence, discuss them with your doctor. Together, you can always find solutions to overcome these challenges. Do not make any decisions about your treatment on your own, concerning the treatment, as you may lose all the benefits of the treatment previously taken and you may harm yourself.

Manage your cholesterol, do not let it manage you