BOSTON, MAY 22, 2012 – A recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health demonstrated that a web-based self-management program helped patients with hypertension achieve significantly lower blood pressure by the conclusion of the program. Blood Pressure Connect enables patients to easily collect their blood pressure readings, monitor trends and securely share their personal data with their providers using a home blood pressure cuff and web portal. Blood Pressure Connect, developed by the Center for Connected Health, Partners HealthCare, empowers patients to better self-manage their health and facilitates improved communication between patients and providers. These results were presented earlier this month at the American Heart Association’s Quality of Care and Outcomes Research (QCOR) in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke - Scientific Session in Atlanta.
Participating patients measured their blood pressure from home and uploaded the readings to a secure website. 219 hypertensive patients, aged 22 to 90 years old, were enrolled in the program. Patients were on different medications, and were treated for varying lengths of times by several provider practices. Despite these differences, for all patients, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly, on average, by 6mmHg. Patients with elevated baseline blood pressures (stage 1 or 2 hypertension) reported the most significant change, achieving reductions of 12mmHg and 25mmHg, respectively.
“High blood pressure is an independent cardiovascular risk factor,” said Kamal Jethwani, MD, MPH, Lead Research Scientist, Center for Connected Health. “Just a 5mmHg decrease in blood pressure can reduce mortality due to stroke and heart disease by 14% and 9%, respectively.”
The program’s secure website allows patients to track trends, provide commentary and review helpful education resources. Providers have access to a dashboard where they can view their patients’ blood pressure data and trends, at both an individual as well as population level, making it easy to manage a large number of patients more efficiently.
“Our Blood Pressure Connect program is helping to empower patients to be better informed to make healthier lifestyle choices and self-manage their health, while facilitating improved communication between patients and providers,” said Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, Founder and Director, Center for Connected Health. “It’s particularly important to note that for patients with hypertension, their blood pressure was significantly lower after the program than at the beginning. These results clearly demonstrate that self-management tools can effectively manage chronic conditions and improve clinical outcomes.”
Hypertension is a preventable cause of stroke and other cardiac complications. However, according to the American Heart Association, 76.4 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
About the Center for Connected Health
The Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, is creating effective, new solutions and innovative interventions to deliver quality patient care outside of the traditional medical setting. Our programs use a combination of remote-monitoring technology, sensors, and online communications and intelligence to improve patient adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes. The Center also offers expert online second opinions, virtual visits, and engages in innovative research to uncover new models for better care. The Center’s Consulting Services assist companies, providers and other organizations to learn more about entering the connected health space and to prepare products and services for integration into the healthcare delivery system. Visit www.connected-health.org.
