Objective:

To identify the beliefs of patients with cardiovascular risk, about effectiveness and safety of following healthy life habits and drug therapy.

Methods:

Qualitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study, in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted in the community pharmacy setting. Participants were volunteer patients from Zaragoza (Spain).

Results:

The most relevant results emphasize the receptive attitude of patients both in terms of healthy habits and pharmacological treatments. It emphasizes the belief in the effectiveness of both therapeutic measures and that it is their combination that leads to the success of the treatment. Patients show concern about the possibility of suffering adverse effects of medications, while hygienicdietetic measures are perceived as safe. Patients show confidence in health professionals. Regarding habits changes difficulties were detected related to the cultural, social and emotional dimensions.

Conclusions:

The beliefs of the patients coincide with the current biomedical recommendations on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases: a mixed therapy is required for the management of cardiovascular risk. In addition, patients rely on health professionals. Even so, patients fear for the safety of medications and feel dependent on the expert system in managing their health condition. In patient care, it is necessary to consider patients’ beliefs, conditions and experiences to adapt therapy to the maximum and obtain the maximum benefit from it.

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