Fatigue, Stress, and Blood Pressure Medication Adherence by Race After Myocardial Infarction

J Nurse Pract. 2023 Oct;19(9):104757. doi: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104757. Epub 2023 Sep 6.

Abstract

Fatigue and stress may affect medication adherence. This study explored fatigue, stress, and blood pressure (BP) medication adherence in Black and White adults (N= 152) who had experienced a myocardial infarction. Over half of the sample (55%) reported fatigue as moderate to severe. The regression model explained up to 40% of the variance (p < .001) with fatigue and race significantly predicting adherence. Black participants reported fatigue causing distress (r =.40), and White participants reported greater association of fatigue severity-related BP medication adherence (r =.49). Our findings support considering racial differences when evaluating fatigue associated with BP medication adherence.

Keywords: Fatigue; medication adherence; myocardial infarction; stress.