According to a new survey, despite hospitals' efforts to ensure that patients treated for myocardial infarction are prescribed a beta-blocker when discharged, many patients believe treatment is completed after finishing their initial prescription, and the majority only continue their treatment for a few months. The survey reviewed the cases of 17,035 patients, all with insurance coverage. At 1 year post-discharge, 55% of patients had stopped taking their prescriptions, most within 90 days of being discharged. Low adherence was especially prevalent among younger women, residents of the Southeast, and those with Medicare + Choice insurance coverage. Researchers are now working on ways to encourage long-term beta-blocker therapy adherence.

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