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Continuity of care associated with improved prescribing for patients at risk of heart disease

Press release issued: 4 October 2022

People at risk of heart disease are more likely to be prescribed relevant medications if they see the same GP over time (known as continuity of care) but not more likely to take their medications (known as adherence), according to researchers at the University of Bristol.

The study found strong evidence that prescription of clinically relevant medications such as statins (used to lower cholesterol), anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents (both used as blood thinners) and antihypertensives (for lowering blood pressure) increased with greater continuity of care. These medicines are widely used and if prescribed appropriately and taken correctly by patients, can help reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. 

Paper: 'Association between continuity of primary care and both prescribing and adherence of common cardiovascular medications: a cohort study among patients in England' by Peter Tammes et al. Published in BMJ Open. September 2022.

Read the full University of Bristol news item

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