High blood pressure or hypertension is a symptomless “silent killer” that quietly damages blood vessels and leads to serious health problems. Fortunately, high blood pressure is preventable and treatable.

High blood pressure costs the nation $48.6 billion each year. This total includes the cost of healthcare services, medications to treat high blood pressure, and loss of productivity from premature death.

Trials have shown that controlling hypertension reduces the risk of stroke, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, peripheral vascular disease, as well as overall mortality. The risk of developing these hypertension-related complications is continuous, starting at a blood pressure level as low as 115/75 mm Hg. Despite the inherent health risks associated with uncontrolled hypertension, elevated blood pressure remains inadequately treated in a majority of patients.

The 2017 blood pressure treatment guideline from a multiorganizational task force led by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) recommends home blood pressure monitoring after initiating drug therapy for hypertension.

Regular patient blood pressure monitoring is important, as home and in-office blood pressures can differ significantly, Studies have found that more than one third hypertension patients in a general practice setting had either white-coat hypertension, which can lead to overuse of medications, or “masked hypertension,” characterized by normal measurements in the doctor’s office but otherwise elevated pressures, potentially leading to insufficient therapy.

4G enabled Blood pressure devices allow patients to generate their own data. Patient-generated health data (PGHD) are data created, recorded, or gathered by or from patients (or family members or other caregivers) to support their health. RPM allows patients and their caregivers to independently and seamlessly capture and share their health data electronically with clinicians from any location.

Research has shown RPM can reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) significantly compared to usual care and self-monitoring alone.