Medical experts have warned of a common mistake made by millions of people taking medication regularly, which increases the risk of death.
According to the British newspaper Daily Mail, doctors estimate 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 disease.
This error is medically known as "non-adherence" and includes missing a dose or taking an incorrect dose—either higher or lower than prescribed. This can lead to serious consequences, such as the need for more intensive and expensive treatments, or even death.
According to NHS (National Health Service) estimates, this error costs the healthcare system around £930 million a year.
In this context, the World Heart Federation (WHF) has issued a new alert regarding this problem, highlighting that only half of patients with chronic diseases correctly follow medical instructions in countries such as the United Kingdom.
According to the federation, non-compliance leads to an increase in hospitalizations, a deterioration in health, and the death of nearly 200 patients per year in Europe.
Professor Jagat Narula, president of the World Heart Federation, said doctors must redouble their efforts to help patients adhere to their treatment, noting that the reasons behind non-adherence are complex, including stigma, communication barriers and financial difficulties.
The federation estimates that by increasing compliance rates from 50% to 70%, the European Union could save €330 million (around £275 million) over ten years.
Numerous studies confirm these findings, including a Chinese study that found that heart attack patients who followed their doctors' instructions closely saw their risk of another heart attack reduced by 39%.
