A pilot test of a new tool for remote blood pressure monitoring.
We conducted a pilot trial of a remote blood pressure (BP) monitoring system, in which subjects measured their own BP at a primary healthcare centre. The data were wirelessly transmitted to the general practitioner. A total of 132 subjects with a new or prior diagnosis of hypertension were enrolled. Their mean age was 61 years and 77 were men (58%). They were followed for an average of 487 days (range 19-1110). The median number of BP measurements made was 6 per patient (range 2-49). The mean blood pressure decreased from 137/85 to 132/78 mmHg (P < 0.001) and the percentage of subjects with adequately controlled BP (defined as < 140/90 mmHg) increased from 47 to 66% (P < 0.01). Randomised trials are now required to confirm these findings.
Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden kurt.boman@vll.se.
Kurt
K
Boman
Primary Health Care Unit, Skelleftehamn, Sweden.
Andre
A
Brenander
Primary Health Care Unit, Skelleftehamn, Sweden.
Mats
M
Gustavsson
Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Curt D
CD
Furberg