The relationship between quality of life and adherence to treatment.

Hypertension is a preventable condition, and the outcomes of clinical trials have established that its treatment reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although awareness about the disease has improved in the past two decades, the reality is that many people remain untreated or not adequately controlled. The treatment of hypertension is usually long term, and its success will depend on the effects of the drug regimen on the patient's quality of life. The relationship between quality of life and compliance is complex and merits careful study. Monitoring quality of life may be one of the best ways of improving adherence to treatment. Therefore, when developing an approach to the treatment of hypertension, physicians should take into consideration the impact of different antihypertensives on the patient's overall well being, and along with the side effects and contraindications, quality-of-life issues may determine the choice of medication.