The provision of healthcare to cardiology patients requires a
multidisciplinary team, including a clinical pharmacist as a member, to ensure optimal
medication management. In this chapter, the benefits and challenges of the presence of
a clinical pharmacist as a team member in cardiology care are briefly presented from a
general perspective. In addition, medication management and input of clinical
pharmacists in the most common cardiovascular conditions (i.e., acute coronary
syndrome, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation) are
reviewed. The most prominent outcomes of the clinical pharmacists’ interventions are
reduced drug-related problems, increased medication adherence, improved healthcare
outcomes such as reduced blood pressure levels, and prevention of hospital
readmissions. Also, leading cardiology guidelines as means of evidence-based
pharmaceutical care are listed. Overall, this chapter aims to emphasize the importance
of incorporating clinical pharmacists in cardiology healthcare teams to provide
comprehensive care for patients.
Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome, Atrial fibrillation, Clinical pharmacist, Cardiology, Cardiovascular disease, Drug-related problems, Hypertension, Heart failure, Medication adherence, Medication therapy management, Pulmonary hypertension, Pharmacotherapy.
