HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING WITH A DIGITAL BLOOD PRESSURE COACH - A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF USER DATAi. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beger, Christian; Lenz, Anna; Wagner, Steffen; Filler, Andreas; Sévin, Claire-Michelle; Heppler, Michelle; Volland, Dirk; Limbourg, Florian
• Is Part Of: Journal of hypertension. Volume 40(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: e197
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000837448.25314.a0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5598

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is recommended by guidelines for the management of hypertension. The Manoa smart phone app is a certified digital coach that informs, guides and supports users in guideline-compliant HBPM, which involves completion of at least 6 days of home BP measurements. The app has been freely available in all relevant app stores since April 2020. Design and method: From 4/20 to 3/21 we prospectively analyzed self-reported BP levels and user data from users who self-identified as having the diagnosis of hypertension. The prospective study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee. Results: To evaluate the effects of a digital BP coach on BP levels we analyzed the change in app-documented BP levels between baseline and follow-up HBPM periods (8–16 weeks, n = 864). Average baseline systolic home BP was 131.5 mmHg for the total group, which decreased significantly to 128.06 mmHg at follow-up (p < 0.05), resulting increased BP control from 70% of hypertensive users at baseline to 81% at the follow-up HBPM period. In the subgroup of users with uncontrolled BP at baseline, and who also had recorded follow-up BP data (n = 384), baseline BP was 138.8.0mmHg, which decreased significantly to 132.69 (p < 0.001). We analyzed the change in SBP according to baseline SBP. To this end, we first used non-linear fitting followed by steady linear fitting and linear regression analysis. There was a significant negative linear correlation (r = -0.56, p < 0.001) between SBP lowering and baseline BP down to level of SBP of 125 mm Hg. Below this value, baseline SBP was not associated with SBP decrease at follow up (r = -0.19, p = 0.16). Conclusions: Our data show that the use of a digital BP coach by users with self-reported hypertension is associated with a reduction in average BP and an improvement in hypertension control after two periods of structured HBPM.