Is Home Blood Pressure Monitoring a “Home Run” for Blood Pressure Management?

Authors:
Mary Taylor, PharmD
Megan Supple, PharmD, BCACP, CPP

Reviewers:
Sara Anderson, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP
Alvin Goo, PharmD
Kyree Henry, PharmD
Jenny Lin, PharmD

Citation: McManus RJ, Little P, Stuart B, et al. Home and Online Management and Evaluation of Blood Pressure (HOME BP) using a digital intervention in poorly controlled hypertension: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2021; 372: m4858. DOI : 10.1136/bmj.m4858.

The Problem:

Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States.^1,2 Nearly 67 million people, which equates to 3 out of every 4 people, living with high blood pressure in the US remain uncontrolled, despite the clear and compelling benefits of achieving good control.  Lowering diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 5 mmHg reduces the risk of stroke by approximately 34% and ischemic heart disease by 21%.^3,4 Remote monitoring and self-management of BP may enable us to broadly achieve optimal BP control in most patients.  Moreover, remote monitoring and self-management are particularly advantageous for patients confined to their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, patients who have limited mobility, or those who face other barriers to care. Increased use of telehealth technology improves access to care, but the effects on the cost and quality of care, particularly in the context of hypertension management, have not been clearly established.