Pharmacist-Led Telemonitoring of Patients With HBP Reduces Heart Attack, Stroke Incidence

Patients enrolled in a pharmacistled telemonitoring program to control high blood pressure (HBP) were about half as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke as patients receiving routine primary care, according to the results of a new study.

Uncontrolled hypertension is the largest modifiable risk factor contributing to death from all causes in the United States, with nearly half of American adults having received a diagnosis of HBP, according to the study authors, who noted that most adults do not have their numbers under control.

In the telemonitoring group, patients were able to measure their blood pressure at home and send the levels electronically to the pharmacists, who could then make lifestyle and medication changes when necessary. Heart attack, stroke, stent placement, or heart failure hospitalization occurred in 5.3% of the telemonitored group compared with 10.4% of the routine primary care group, according to a statement.

Specifically, in the telemonitoring group, 15 serious cardiovascular events occurred among 10 patients compared with 26 serious cardiovascular events among 19 patients in the routine primary care group. Based on these findings, widespread adoption of this model might help adults in the United States with uncontrolled HBP avoid serious cardiovascular events, according to the authors.

REFERENCE

For people with high blood pressure, telemonitoring may cut heart attack, stroke rate by 50% News release. American Heart Association. August 31, 2020. Accessed October 8, 2020. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/for-people-with-high-blood-pressure-telemonitoring-may-cut-heart-attack-stroke-rate-by-50?preview=c1c7