Pilot monitoring program significantly improves BP control

A home BP monitoring program from The Measure Up/Pressure Down national hypertension campaign and Withings significantly lowered BP of participants over an 18-month span, according to a press release.

“Outcomes from this pilot program reinforce the incredible value that home blood pressure monitoring offers to patients and their health care teams. With the ability to continually monitor progress, make changes where necessary, and gain encouragement when seeing successes, the Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor has helped many participants gain control over their personal health and establish richer relationships with their health care professionals,” Cedric Hutchings, CEO and co-founder of Withings.

In the trial, 150 participants paired the Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor with their smartphones, allowing them to manage blood pressure from home. The data from the BP screening was then transmitted in real-time to their health care provider, who could then schedule appointments or make appropriate therapy changes.

The American Medical Group Foundation program announced that study participants BP rates improved from 38.6% at baseline to 70% after 18 months.

In addition to improving BP control among patients from four participating medical groups and health care systems, the trial data helped to create updated best practices for home BP monitors in ambulatory care settings, according to the release.

According to the release, due to the observational aspect of the trial, these results do not necessarily verify the improvement of BP was due to the project or the Withings monitor.