Individuals with ADHD may face persistent challenges with medication adherence and experience poorer health outcomes following a heart attack, according to a new study from the Karolinska Institutet.
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Researchers compared individuals with and without ADHD who had experienced a heart attack and found similar health histories overall. However, those with ADHD were more likely to smoke, less likely to attend follow-up appointments, and showed less success in quitting smoking. This highlights the importance of targeted interventions for individuals with ADHD to improve cardiovascular health.
The study similarly examined patterns of ADHD medication use across different age groups. It found that children were the least likely to discontinue medication, whereas young adults were the most likely to stop treatment. Many who stopped medication later resumed it, and when these restarts were considered, a greater proportion continued treatment over time. After five years, approximately 50–60 percent of children and 30–40 percent of adolescents and adults in most countries were still receiving medication.
Further analysis revealed that individuals with ADHD were more likely to discontinue their blood pressure medication as prescribed. This finding underscores the necessitate for improved medication management strategies for this population, as consistent blood pressure control is crucial for preventing further cardiovascular events.
Doctoral student Honghui Yao investigated ADHD medication and why people stop taking their medication, and how this varies depending on age, gender, and country. Previous studies have shown that people with ADHD are more likely to develop heart problems and metabolic issues, so Yao also studied how ADHD itself and medication affect people who already have heart-related diseases.
