Despite guidelines recommending regular at-home blood pressure checks, most people with high blood pressure aren’t checking as often as they should—even when they’re given free devices and help.
That’s the key finding from a study by researchers at Mass General Brigham, published in JAMA Cardiology.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious problems. To manage it well, doctors often recommend that patients measure their blood pressure at home.
In fact, the American Heart Association says that people with hypertension should take two readings, one minute apart, twice a day for up to seven days before a clinic visit. That gives a clearer picture than a single reading at the doctor’s office, which can be affected by stress or activity.
“One reading in the clinic doesn’t tell the whole story,” said Dr. Naomi Fisher, a senior author of the study. “Home monitoring gives more reliable data that can help doctors tailor treatment.”
To test how well patients followed this advice, researchers studied 3,390 people who were part of a remote blood pressure program between 2018 and 2022. Everyone in the program received free at-home monitors and instructions. They were asked to complete 28 readings each week, and their results were automatically sent to health workers.
Those who measured their blood pressure consistently and stuck with the program saw a major drop in blood pressure. Their risk of serious health problems, including heart attacks and death, fell by 40%. But not everyone stayed engaged.
When researchers looked at patient engagement, they found that nearly a third of people never used the monitor at all. Only about one-third of participants completed nearly all of the recommended readings. The rest had low or medium engagement. This means a large number of patients missed out on the full benefits of at-home monitoring.
Lead author Dr. Ozan Unlu said the results show that current methods may not fit well with people’s lives. “These guidelines require people to take frequent and carefully timed readings,” he said. “But many people can’t fit that into their daily routines.”
To fix this problem, the researchers suggest using wearable blood pressure monitors, similar to continuous glucose monitors used for diabetes. These would take readings automatically throughout the day, so patients wouldn’t have to stop what they’re doing to check their blood pressure.
The team also wants to learn more about what stops people from using traditional monitors. Maybe it’s the time involved, the discomfort, or simply forgetting. With new wearable technology being developed and reviewed by the FDA, researchers are hopeful that a low-effort solution could soon help people better manage their high blood pressure.
Until then, the study shows that even with free tools and guidance, it’s not enough to simply hand patients a device. Making blood pressure monitoring easier and less demanding might be the key to helping people stay healthier in the long run.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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