A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals alarming disparities in stroke prevention medication adherence among women, particularly Mexican American women. The research, which analyzed over 1,300 stroke survivors aged 45 and older, found that approximately 11.5% of participants reported not taking their prescribed stroke prevention medications as directed.
Women, in general, were more likely to miss doses of cholesterol-lowering and blood-clotting medications compared to men. However, the disparity was even more pronounced among Mexican American women, who were about three times more likely to report non-adherence to cholesterol-lowering medications than their male counterparts.
Lynda Lisabeth, PhD, MPH, senior study author and professor at the University of Michigan, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “Our findings point to concerning disparities between men and women’s reports on taking stroke prevention medications routinely as prescribed, especially among Mexican Americans.”
The study suggests that various factors may contribute to this disparity. Chen Chen, a PhD candidate and study coauthor, noted that women, particularly Mexican American women, are more likely to be caregivers for family members, which may impact their ability to prioritize their own health and medication management.
These findings underscore the critical need for healthcare providers to address medication adherence, especially among female stroke survivors. Researchers recommend that clinicians consider screening for these factors and discuss the importance of consistent medication use to reduce the risk of recurrent strokes.
As stroke remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with over 795,000 cases annually in the United States alone, addressing these disparities in medication adherence is crucial for improving outcomes and reducing the risk of secondary strokes among vulnerable populations.
See: “Mexican American Women Less Likely to Take Stroke-Prevention Meds” (January 3, 2025)
