Use of nonprescription medications for perceived cardiovascular health

Margaret B. Artz; Lisa J. Harnack; Susan J. Duval; Chris Armstrong; Donna K. Arnett; Russell V. Luepker

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2005.08.038

Use of nonprescription medications for perceived cardiovascular health

Margaret B. Artz, Lisa J. Harnack, Susan J. Duval, Chris Armstrong, Donna K. Arnett, Russell V. Luepker

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Nonprescription products (over-the-counter drugs; vitamins/minerals; and nonvitamin, nonmineral supplements) are promoted or advertised for cardiovascular health. The extent of nonprescription products used specifically for perceived cardiovascular health (NONRX-CVH) is unknown. This study aimed to (1) determine prevalence and types of nonprescription medications used for NONRX-CVH, (2) compare the demographics of NONRX-CVH users to persons using nonprescription medications in general, and (3) determine the prevalence of use of NONRX-CVH among those taking a prescription medication for a cardiovascular reason. Methods: A cross-sectional survey comprised the probability sample of 3128 adults in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in the 2000-2002 Minnesota Heart Survey. Trained interviewers collected medication information from participants using a structured medication inventory approach. Results: Analysis in 2005 shows that 10% of participants (n=315) self-reported taking one or more nonprescription medications in the past 2 weeks for a perceived cardiovascular health purpose. Among these individuals, prevalence of use of vitamin/mineral supplements, nonvitamin/nonmineral supplements, and over-the-counter products for a cardiovascular purpose was 37.5%, 21.3%, and 54.6%, respectively. Popular NONRX-CVHs were aspirin (52.1%), vitamin E (24.4%), garlic (9.8%), and omega-3/fish oils/fatty acids (3.8%). NONRX-CVH users were older than general nonprescription users (p<0.001). Of 613 people using a prescription drug for cardiovascular reasons, 135 (22%) reported using one or more NONRX-CVH medications. Conclusions: Use of NONRX-CVHs, especially aspirin, vitamin E, and herbals, is common, and older patients may use aspirin or dietary supplements for this purpose. Physicians having patients with cardiovascular disease should ask about nonprescription medication usage, as some NONRX-CVHs may be inappropriate.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	78-81
Number of pages	4
Journal	American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume	30
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2005.08.038
State	Published - Jan 2006

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Community Surveillance of Cardiovascular Disease—Risk Factor Survey (MHS) (R01 HL023727).

Funding Information:
MBA received financial support for this project from the VFW Endowed Chair in Pharmacotherapy for the Elderly, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Community Surveillance of Cardiovascular Disease—Risk Factor Survey (MHS) (R01 HL023727). MBA received financial support for this project from the VFW Endowed Chair in Pharmacotherapy for the Elderly, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN.

Funders	Funder number
Cardiovascular Disease—Risk Factor Survey
Minneapolis VAHCS: Minneapolis VA Health Care System
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)	R01HL023727
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Maccabi Institute for Health Services Research	R01 HL023727

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Epidemiology
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.amepre.2005.08.038

Cite this

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title = "Use of nonprescription medications for perceived cardiovascular health",

abstract = "Background: Nonprescription products (over-the-counter drugs; vitamins/minerals; and nonvitamin, nonmineral supplements) are promoted or advertised for cardiovascular health. The extent of nonprescription products used specifically for perceived cardiovascular health (NONRX-CVH) is unknown. This study aimed to (1) determine prevalence and types of nonprescription medications used for NONRX-CVH, (2) compare the demographics of NONRX-CVH users to persons using nonprescription medications in general, and (3) determine the prevalence of use of NONRX-CVH among those taking a prescription medication for a cardiovascular reason. Methods: A cross-sectional survey comprised the probability sample of 3128 adults in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in the 2000-2002 Minnesota Heart Survey. Trained interviewers collected medication information from participants using a structured medication inventory approach. Results: Analysis in 2005 shows that 10% of participants (n=315) self-reported taking one or more nonprescription medications in the past 2 weeks for a perceived cardiovascular health purpose. Among these individuals, prevalence of use of vitamin/mineral supplements, nonvitamin/nonmineral supplements, and over-the-counter products for a cardiovascular purpose was 37.5%, 21.3%, and 54.6%, respectively. Popular NONRX-CVHs were aspirin (52.1%), vitamin E (24.4%), garlic (9.8%), and omega-3/fish oils/fatty acids (3.8%). NONRX-CVH users were older than general nonprescription users (p<0.001). Of 613 people using a prescription drug for cardiovascular reasons, 135 (22%) reported using one or more NONRX-CVH medications. Conclusions: Use of NONRX-CVHs, especially aspirin, vitamin E, and herbals, is common, and older patients may use aspirin or dietary supplements for this purpose. Physicians having patients with cardiovascular disease should ask about nonprescription medication usage, as some NONRX-CVHs may be inappropriate.",

author = "Artz, {Margaret B.} and Harnack, {Lisa J.} and Duval, {Susan J.} and Chris Armstrong and Arnett, {Donna K.} and Luepker, {Russell V.}",

note = "Funding Information: This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Community Surveillance of Cardiovascular Disease—Risk Factor Survey (MHS) (R01 HL023727). Funding Information: MBA received financial support for this project from the VFW Endowed Chair in Pharmacotherapy for the Elderly, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN. ",

year = "2006",

month = jan,

doi = "10.1016/j.amepre.2005.08.038",

language = "English",

volume = "30",

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T1 - Use of nonprescription medications for perceived cardiovascular health

AU - Artz, Margaret B.

AU - Harnack, Lisa J.

AU - Duval, Susan J.

AU - Armstrong, Chris

AU - Arnett, Donna K.

AU - Luepker, Russell V.

N1 - Funding Information: This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Community Surveillance of Cardiovascular Disease—Risk Factor Survey (MHS) (R01 HL023727). Funding Information: MBA received financial support for this project from the VFW Endowed Chair in Pharmacotherapy for the Elderly, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN.

PY - 2006/1

Y1 - 2006/1

N2 - Background: Nonprescription products (over-the-counter drugs; vitamins/minerals; and nonvitamin, nonmineral supplements) are promoted or advertised for cardiovascular health. The extent of nonprescription products used specifically for perceived cardiovascular health (NONRX-CVH) is unknown. This study aimed to (1) determine prevalence and types of nonprescription medications used for NONRX-CVH, (2) compare the demographics of NONRX-CVH users to persons using nonprescription medications in general, and (3) determine the prevalence of use of NONRX-CVH among those taking a prescription medication for a cardiovascular reason. Methods: A cross-sectional survey comprised the probability sample of 3128 adults in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in the 2000-2002 Minnesota Heart Survey. Trained interviewers collected medication information from participants using a structured medication inventory approach. Results: Analysis in 2005 shows that 10% of participants (n=315) self-reported taking one or more nonprescription medications in the past 2 weeks for a perceived cardiovascular health purpose. Among these individuals, prevalence of use of vitamin/mineral supplements, nonvitamin/nonmineral supplements, and over-the-counter products for a cardiovascular purpose was 37.5%, 21.3%, and 54.6%, respectively. Popular NONRX-CVHs were aspirin (52.1%), vitamin E (24.4%), garlic (9.8%), and omega-3/fish oils/fatty acids (3.8%). NONRX-CVH users were older than general nonprescription users (p<0.001). Of 613 people using a prescription drug for cardiovascular reasons, 135 (22%) reported using one or more NONRX-CVH medications. Conclusions: Use of NONRX-CVHs, especially aspirin, vitamin E, and herbals, is common, and older patients may use aspirin or dietary supplements for this purpose. Physicians having patients with cardiovascular disease should ask about nonprescription medication usage, as some NONRX-CVHs may be inappropriate.

AB - Background: Nonprescription products (over-the-counter drugs; vitamins/minerals; and nonvitamin, nonmineral supplements) are promoted or advertised for cardiovascular health. The extent of nonprescription products used specifically for perceived cardiovascular health (NONRX-CVH) is unknown. This study aimed to (1) determine prevalence and types of nonprescription medications used for NONRX-CVH, (2) compare the demographics of NONRX-CVH users to persons using nonprescription medications in general, and (3) determine the prevalence of use of NONRX-CVH among those taking a prescription medication for a cardiovascular reason. Methods: A cross-sectional survey comprised the probability sample of 3128 adults in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in the 2000-2002 Minnesota Heart Survey. Trained interviewers collected medication information from participants using a structured medication inventory approach. Results: Analysis in 2005 shows that 10% of participants (n=315) self-reported taking one or more nonprescription medications in the past 2 weeks for a perceived cardiovascular health purpose. Among these individuals, prevalence of use of vitamin/mineral supplements, nonvitamin/nonmineral supplements, and over-the-counter products for a cardiovascular purpose was 37.5%, 21.3%, and 54.6%, respectively. Popular NONRX-CVHs were aspirin (52.1%), vitamin E (24.4%), garlic (9.8%), and omega-3/fish oils/fatty acids (3.8%). NONRX-CVH users were older than general nonprescription users (p<0.001). Of 613 people using a prescription drug for cardiovascular reasons, 135 (22%) reported using one or more NONRX-CVH medications. Conclusions: Use of NONRX-CVHs, especially aspirin, vitamin E, and herbals, is common, and older patients may use aspirin or dietary supplements for this purpose. Physicians having patients with cardiovascular disease should ask about nonprescription medication usage, as some NONRX-CVHs may be inappropriate.

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Use of nonprescription medications for perceived cardiovascular health

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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