Exploring polypharmacy in elderly women after myocardial infarction.

The aims of the study were to: (a) examine the number, absolute volume, and type of daily medications older women were taking 6 to 12 months post-myocardial infarction (MI); (b) describe the financial burden of cardiac medications; and (c) examine the relationship of age, education, and income to the number of medications. An analysis of a cross-sectional descriptive study of women >or= 65 years of age who were post-MI was used. Most (89%; N = 83) were taking at least one cardiac medication, costs per day varied ($0.13-$6.75), and total number of pills taken per day was 1 to 19. Age, education, and income did not explain the number of medications. Consideration of the financial burden of medications is important to increase compliance and foster secondary prevention in older women.