A new study by the HealthPartners Institute has shown that people enrolled in a telemonitoring program to manage high blood pressure were about half as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke compared to those receiving routine primary care.
This promising approach combines home blood pressure monitoring with remote care managed by a pharmacist, offering a practical solution for better blood pressure control and improved heart health.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the leading modifiable risk factor for death worldwide. In the U.S., nearly half of adults have high blood pressure, defined as 130/80 mm Hg or higher, but the majority do not have their blood pressure under control.
Poorly managed hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications.
This study enrolled 450 adults with uncontrolled high blood pressure from 16 primary care clinics in Minnesota. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: 222 received routine care through regular clinic visits, while 228 joined a telemonitoring program.
Patients in the telemonitoring group measured their blood pressure at home and electronically sent the data to a pharmacist. The pharmacist reviewed the readings and collaborated with the patients to adjust medications and make lifestyle changes.
Blood pressure readings for all participants were checked at enrollment, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and again 5 years later.
The results were striking. Serious cardiovascular events occurred in only 5.3% of the telemonitoring group, compared to 10.4% in the routine care group. This included heart attacks, strokes, heart failure hospitalizations, and coronary stent placements.
Specifically, the telemonitoring group saw fewer non-fatal heart attacks (5 vs. 11), strokes (4 vs. 12), and heart failure hospitalizations (5 vs. 3) than the routine care group.
In addition to fewer health complications, the telemonitoring group demonstrated potential for reducing healthcare costs related to cardiovascular events. By addressing blood pressure issues early and consistently, telemonitoring could prevent costly emergency treatments and hospital stays.
The researchers concluded that telemonitoring programs offer a safe, effective, and scalable way to help patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure. Widespread adoption of this model could significantly reduce the burden of heart attacks, strokes, and related complications.
However, the study’s authors emphasized the need for further research to determine how to sustain patient engagement in telemonitoring over the long term and to measure its impact on cardiovascular risk factors and events beyond five years.
This research, led by Dr. Karen L. Margolis and published in Hypertension, highlights the importance of innovation in managing chronic conditions like hypertension. For patients with high blood pressure, telemonitoring offers hope for better outcomes and a healthier future.
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