Low, Compliance Drinking Cholesterol Drugs

If lifestyle changes are not successful in reducing levels of cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) to the extent desired, then the doctor will give medicine. Unfortunately in Indonesia, 68.7 percent of patients fail to achieve the target of therapy. The reason is because often forget to take medication.

This was revealed in a study called the Pan-Asian Cepheus (Centralised Pan-Asian Survey on the under treatment of hypercholesterolemia). Studies conducted in eight countries across Asia, including Indonesia, aims to see the characteristic treatment of hypercholesterolemia in Asia and see how the interaction between doctor and patient in achieving the target of therapy.

Survey also noted 65 per cent of patients admitted forget taking their cholesterol-lowering drugs several times and considers it does not affect their cholesterol levels. This has become one of the causes of treatment failure in accordance with the guidelines managing lipids.

Meanwhile, patients with high risks such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, carotid artery disease and diabetes will be more difficult to achieve the target of therapy.

"Hypercholesterolemia therapy success rates in Indonesia unfortunately still not maximal, even ranked last in Asia," said Dr.M.Munawar, SpJP, national coordinator of Cepheus. In Indonesia, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in the range 11-18 per cent.

Extensive research has shown levels of LDL are major risk factors for heart disease and blood vessels. The lower the cholesterol level, the better in reducing risk, especially if accompanied by changes in lifestyle, the risk of heart attacks and strokes would decrease.