Chapter 14 - Remote blood pressure monitoring

Abstract

Remote blood pressure monitors are important digital health devices that can monitor and report blood pressure data. This is a particularly useful tool for people with diabetes because they are at higher risk for hypertension. Monitoring blood pressure is important for people with diabetes because treatment of hypertension reduces the risks of cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as microvascular disease, such as retinopathy, end stage renal failure, and neuropathy. Blood pressure readings in the physician's office are often very different from blood pressure readings under normal free-living conditions. The lack of accuracy and cybersecurity of remote current blood pressure monitoring devices, as well as the potential for user error in proper use of the device, poses challenges to the widespread adoption of remote blood pressure monitoring. However, there is promise to advance the value of these devices by (1) taking steps to improve upon current accuracy standards, (2) implementing training for patients, and (3) developing new standards for cybersecurity modeled after current medical cybersecurity standards. The data gathered from these devices can prove beneficial to personalizing care and determining cardiovascular performance patterns. New devices are still in development that may further improve the convenience of remote blood pressure monitoring.