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The Potential of mHealth Applications in Improving Resistant Hypertension Self-Assessment, Treatment and Control

  • Resistant Hypertension (L Drager, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review the evidence supporting the use of mobile health (mHealth) apps to improve resistant hypertension self-assessment, treatment and control.

Recent Findings

mHealth apps have been used to directly measure blood pressure (BP) levels, either using the oscillometric method with automated inflatable cuffs or using pulse wave signals detected by smartphone technology without the need for cuffs. These app-based BP monitors tend to over or underestimate BP levels when compared to a gold standard aneroid sphygmomanometer. However, the differences in BP measurements are within the acceptable range of 5 mmHg pre-defined by the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol Revision 2010. mHealth apps are also used as tools to support physicians in improving hypertension treatment. App-based clinical decision support systems are innovative solutions, in which patient information is entered in the app and management algorithms provide recommendations for hypertension treatment. The use of these apps has been shown to be feasible and easily integrated into the workflow of healthcare professionals, and, therefore particularly useful in resource-limited settings. In addition, apps can be used to improve hypertension control by facilitating regular BP monitoring, communication between patients and health professionals, and patient education; as well as by reinforcing behaviours through reminders, including medication-taking and appointment reminders. Several studies provided evidence supporting the use of apps for hypertension control. Although some of the results are promising, there is still limited evidence on the benefits of using such mHealth tools, as these studies are relatively small and with a short-term duration.

Summary

Recent research has shown that mHealth apps can be beneficial in terms of improving hypertension self-assessment, treatment and control, being especially useful to help differentiate and manage true and pseudo-resistant hypertension. However, future research, including large-scale randomised clinical trials with user-centred design, is crucial to further evaluate the potential scalability and effectiveness of such mHealth apps in the resistant hypertension context.

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Funding

JR is funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship (APP1143538).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Research Organization, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil

    Karla Santo

  2. Westmead Applied Research Centre, Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Karla Santo & Julie Redfern

  3. Cardiovascular Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia

    Karla Santo & Julie Redfern

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KS drafted the manuscript. KS and JR have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Karla Santo.

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Santo, K., Redfern, J. The Potential of mHealth Applications in Improving Resistant Hypertension Self-Assessment, Treatment and Control. Curr Hypertens Rep 21, 81 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-019-0986-z

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