Hypertension is a chronic disease that affects nearly 1.13 billion people worldwide. It is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease/failure, stroke, vision loss, sexual dysfunction. These conditions often require hospitalization, which can be very expensive. Chronic diseases account for approximately 75% of the US $3.6 trillion (2018) IN health expenditure. One of the simplest ways to help detect complications early and minimize the development of chronic disease is to measure blood pressure regularly. Remote blood pressure monitoring devices allow clinicians to keep a close eye on hypertensive patients between appointments. Remote patient monitoring can help prevent the development of chronic diseases and reduce healthcare costs by focusing on early identification and treatment.
Remote patient monitoring involves setting up medical equipment for patients to monitor vital signs, and the RPM device used will vary depending on the patient. For example, people with high blood pressure can use a blood pressure cuff while people with diabetes can use a blood glucose meter. Patients will take measurements at home and are responsible for using their device on a set number of days each month, and the device will automatically send this data to the RPM platform for clinicians to access and act on as needed. Additionally, clinicians can set thresholds to receive alerts. The platform will automatically send an alert if the patient's reading exceeds these limits. In many cases, people do not have medical care for complications until the situation becomes serious. Remote patient monitoring can help clinicians understand how patients are doing during their visits and ensure complications are managed before they become worse.
Remote blood pressure monitoring is beneficial for people with hypertension and those at high risk of developing hypertension, including people over 65 years old, pregnant women, and people with a family history of hypertension. Hypertension usually develops over a gradual period and can be prevented by adopting a healthier diet, exercising, and limiting alcohol consumption.
Remote blood pressure monitoring helps patients become more involved in managing their health. The RPM platform will store blood pressure readings and record the patient's health history over time. It not only provide caregivers with valuable insights into treating patients, but also allow patients to see how lifestyle adjustments affect their blood pressure.
