TV show influences Aussies off their meds
Almost half of people surveyed recently completely stopped their medications without consulting their GP after a television program questioned the link between heart disease and cholesterol, as well as the widespread use of anti-cholesterol drugs known as statins.
The charity surveyed 1,094 Australians who have been prescribed cholesterol medication, commonly known as statins, by their health professional to understand the impact the TV program has had on their medication routine.
The survey showed:
- 29% reported after watching the program they were initially confused, worried or scared that they were taking unnecessary medication.
- 25% have seen their GP/health professional to discuss their medication since the program.
- 22% changed their medication adherence, either by stopping, stopping then restarting or reducing the number of medications taken. One in four of those who have altered their medication have previously had a heart event.
- 12% started taking natural remedies
- 9% completely stopped taking their medication since watching, reading or hearing about the show.
Heart Foundation’s national chief executive, Dr Lyn Roberts, said the organisation had always had serious concerns about information presented in the Catalyst program and now there was strong data to confirm the level of confusion caused within the community.
“The survey also showed that almost half of those who completely stopped their medications didn’t consult their GP,” Dr Roberts said.
“What is most worrying is that of the people who have stopped taking their medication, one in four have previously had a heart event, such as a heart attack or stroke.
“This is extremely frightening as these are the people who are most at risk of having another heart attack or stroke, and they may not survive another one.
“It should be clear that statins are lifesaving for people who have already had a heart attack, and people should not go off their medication without seeing their GP.”
Heart Foundation’s national director of cardiovascular health, Dr Robert Grenfell, added it was also deeply concerning the number of high risk patients who’ve stopped their medication.
“If we look at these survey results as being representative of the whole population, there are potentially 55,000 Australians who have stopped their medication as a direct result of the show.
“About 40% of people who completely stopped their medication have either had a heart attack or stroke, have heart disease, or have two risk factors – high blood pressure and diabetes,” Dr Grenfell said.
“The frightening reality is, if many of these people stay off their medication, we could potentially be looking at as many as 2,000 or more heart attacks and strokes over the next five years – and that’s a very conservative estimate.”
Dr Roberts concluded that this was a major public health issue that governments can’t ignore.
“These results demonstrate how important it is for the federal government to ensure all people at high risk of having heart attacks and strokes are identified early and are managed to keep them alive and well and out of hospital,” Dr Roberts said.
“This is best done through a vascular health check that takes an absolute risk approach.
“It’s encouraging to see that many people went to their doctor to have a discussion, and we hope that the new government will look at providing appropriate incentives to help GPs and practices undertake more vascular risk assessments.”
