Contribution of telemedicine and information technology to hypertension control

Abstract

Due to fast-paced technological advancements, digital health and telemedicine represent a promising and complex reality, with the potential to change the current management of hypertension and improve its outcomes. New types of health-related strategies are available, ranging from telemonitoring of blood pressure (BP) values to counseling for patients and decisional tools for physicians, thanks to the development of new technology. Even though the strength of available evidence is currently low due to the high heterogeneity of studies and of the proposed interventions, available data suggest a beneficial effect of digital health strategies on BP control and, more generally, on cardiovascular risk reduction. In addition, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to further investigate the real impact of these new strategies on clinical outcomes. Furthermore, due to consistent commercial interests in this field, there is a strong need for strict regulations to ensure a safe and secure implementation of this new reality in clinical care.

Keywords: Arterial hypertension; Digital health; Home blood pressure; Telemonitoring; mHealth.