Heart Health
For controlling blood pressure, telemedicine may beat clinic visits
Research we're watching
- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Telemedicine visits combined with self-measured blood pressure readings may help people control high blood pressure better than traditional office visits, according to a study in the March 2024 issue of Hypertension.
Researchers reviewed data from 31 trials lasting between six and 12 months that compared telemedicine to clinic visits for managing blood pressure. The telemedicine visits relied on blood pressure readings taken by patients at home, along with remote contact with health care providers via phone, video, or email.
In people using telemedicine, systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) dropped by an average of 7.3 points compared with office-based care, This advantage appeared more pronounced when the patients' medications were managed by pharmacists, who are well versed in drug interactions and dosing levels.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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