Coordinating Medications for Women With Arrhythmia
Lindsey Valenzuela, PharmD, discusses the importance of preventing drug interactions and improving coordination for women with arrhythmia and chronic disease.
According to Valenzuela, there is a correlation between chronic diseases, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and COPD, and arrhythmias. This correlation makes polypharmacy a significant concern, as many antiarrhythmics interact with medications used to treat other conditions, including antihypertensives, diabetes medications, and immunosuppressants.
...many of those antiarrhythmics interact with the medications that we use to treat—antihypertensives, medications for diabetes, immunosuppressants—so that already complicates that issue with chronic disease.
Valenzuela emphasizes the need to identify individuals who may benefit from early surveillance, considering the impact of chronic disease, to utilize technologies earlier.
Author summary: Pharmacists play a crucial role in managing medications for women with arrhythmia and chronic diseases.
- Chronic diseases: diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, COPD
- Concerns: polypharmacy, drug interactions
- Goal: improve coordination and prevent fragmented care