Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have found that consistently taking prescribed blood-sugar-lowering medication reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with type 2 diabetes.
The analysis examined records from 79,510 Danish adults who received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis between 2005 and 2012 and who started treatment without insulin. Instead of relying on self-reported questionnaires, the team consulted national pharmacy registers, which log the exact date each prescription was collected, and then measured medication use each month for ten years.
Participants were sorted into three adherence categories. Roughly 41% kept a high level of medication use, 33% showed moderate use, and 26% persisted with low use. The group with the lowest consistency experienced a 27% higher rate of major cardiovascular events compared with those who remained adherent.
Risk elevation was especially evident for ischemic heart disease, where the poorly adherent subgroup faced a 45% higher incidence. Stroke occurrence rose by 24% among individuals who failed to take their pills regularly.
Age and Social Factors Influence Outcomes
Younger adults faced even greater risks. Among participants under 55, inconsistent use was linked to a 73% higher rate of cardiovascular events before reaching that age. Early-onset type 2 diabetes carries a heavier lifetime risk of blood-vessel damage, making steady treatment especially critical during peak working years.
Poor adherence was more common among people living alone, those with lower incomes, and individuals managing multiple chronic conditions. This suggests that medication lapses often reflect broader life pressures rather than simple forgetfulness.
Even after adjusting for these socioeconomic and health factors, the connection between poor adherence and increased cardiovascular risk stayed strong. Associate Professor Jordi Merino emphasized that prescribing the right drug is only the first step, noting that long-term consistency has a real impact on heart health.
“Our study shows that whether a person is actually able to keep taking their treatment in the following years has a real bearing on their heart health,” Merino said. “That makes a strong case for offering people personalised support early, soon after they are diagnosed, rather than assuming a prescription on its own is enough.”
The researchers suggest health systems should monitor medication habits continuously rather than checking adherence only a few times per year. Access to medicine alone doesn’t guarantee daily use, and long-term tracking could help doctors identify at-risk patients before serious cardiac events occur.
