Embracing Remote Hypertension Management Programs For Better Blood Pressure Control

Discover the success of Mass General Brigham’s remote hypertension program, reducing cardiovascular risk by 40% and boosting patient engagement amid COVID-19.

Quick Summary

• Mass General Brigham’s remote hypertension program successfully utilized a team-based approach, providing home monitors and evidence-based treatment strategies.
• Patients in the program experienced a 16/9 mm Hg blood pressure drop, representing a 40% decline in relative risk for cardiovascular events and mortality, with increased patient engagement.
• Despite some limitations, remote hypertension management programs offer a viable solution for achieving and maintaining blood pressure goals amidst ongoing healthcare challenges.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association highlights the success of a Mass General Brigham remote hypertension program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With 47% of US adults suffering from hypertension, this condition claimed the lives of 670,000 individuals nationwide in 2020.

As the pandemic led to a decrease in in-person healthcare access, remote hypertension management programs like the one developed by Mass General Brigham became increasingly essential.

“Our remote management program at Mass General Brigham was already established pre-pandemic, so it was primed to help take care of our patients with high blood pressure. This program was able to provide care when patients needed it most and demonstrated the efficacy of a team-based, entirely remote management system.” – Dr. Naomi Fisher, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Remote Hypertension Management: A Closer Look

The Mass General Brigham remote hypertension program involved:

• Providing patients with a home blood pressure monitor
• Utilizing an evidence-based clinical algorithm to review blood pressure measurements
• Collaborating between patient navigators, pharmacists, and supervising physicians to develop a treatment strategy

Promising Results: Improved Blood Pressure Control

The study found that among patients who continued with the program, blood pressure dropped by about 16/9 mm Hg in both pre-pandemic and pandemic groups.

Such a decrease in blood pressure signifies a 40% decline in relative risk for cardiovascular events and mortality.

“This proportion of a drop in blood pressure represents a 40 percent decline in relative risk for cardiovascular events and mortality.” – Journal of the American Heart Association study.

Moreover, researchers observed an increase in patient engagement during the pandemic, with more home blood pressure recordings and calls to patient navigators.

Challenges And Limitations

Despite the encouraging results, there were some limitations in the study:

• One-third of patients dropped out of the program
• Variation in patient onboarding

Reinforcing The Benefits Of Remote Blood Pressure Management

The findings of this study align with earlier research emphasizing the advantages of remote blood pressure management.

A November 2022 study found that a 12-week remote support program improved blood pressure, regardless of dietician support.

Interestingly, the group with dietician support experienced more significant reductions in systolic blood pressure during sleep, increased self-reported physical activity, improved dietary quality, and noticeable weight loss.

Key Takeaways

Remote hypertension management programs, such as the one developed by Mass General Brigham, offer several benefits:

• Improved blood pressure control
• Enhanced patient engagement
• Reduced risk of cardiovascular events and mortality

As healthcare systems continue to adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic, remote hypertension management programs provide a promising solution to help patients achieve and maintain their blood pressure goals.