Adults would rather monitor their own blood pressure at home instead of at a clinic or with a wearable device, according to new data presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2021.
Researchers tracked data from 510 adult patients with a history of elevated blood pressure, but no confirmed diagnosis of high blood pressure. The average age was 59 years old, and none of the patients was taking medications to lower their blood pressure.
Study participants were all randomly chosen to determine if they had a hypertension through one of three possible channels: measurements taken at a clinic, monitoring from home or monitoring at a kiosk. Participants asked to monitor their blood pressure at home were given the proper equipment and trained to take two separate measurements twice each day for five days.
Each participant was also asked to complete 24-hour blood pressure monitoring with a device and fill out a questionnaire at the end of the study.
Overall, the team found, taking measurements from home was the “most acceptable” option among participants. The “least acceptable” option was the 24-hour blood pressure monitoring participants from all groups were asked to do.
“Home blood pressure monitoring was the most preferred option because it was convenient, easy to do, did not disturb their daily personal or work routine as much, and was perceived as accurate,” lead author Beverly Green, MD, a family physician at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, said in a statement. “Participants reported that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring disturbed daily and work activities, disrupted sleep and was uncomfortable.”
Participants from the kiosk group were least likely to follow through and fully adhere to 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. Participants from the home testing group were the most likely to adhere.
Providing certain patients with home blood pressure monitors, the authors noted, could improve patient care.
“Home blood pressure monitoring is empowering and improves our ability to identify and treat hypertension, and to prevent strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and cardiovascular death,” Green added
Click here for more information on the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2021, which runs Sept. 27-29.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.