The importance of telehealth for women’s health has increased in recent years as more women seek accessible, personalized care options. An area where telehealth is making a meaningful impact is in the management of hypertension. High blood pressure is the leading contributor to heart disease, the number one cause of death among women. Blood pressure remote monitoring is now a critical tool in this effort, enabling women to take charge of their heart health from the comfort of home.
This article explores how telehealth for women’s health, particularly through blood pressure remote monitoring, supports prevention, improves outcomes, and helps close care gaps for women across all life stages.
High Blood Pressure in Women’s Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, yet only around half of the women in the U.S. are aware of this fact. Risks vary based on age, race, and ethnicity. While Black women, face higher risks of heart disease, Hispanic women often experience complications earlier in life.
Women’s heart health needs differ from men’s, and they are influenced by factors such as pregnancy, stress, and hormonal changes over time. These unique elements play significant roles in a woman’s overall heart health.
High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high, which can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Unfortunately, many people with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition because it often has no symptoms.
That’s why National Women’s Health Week is so important. It’s a time to raise awareness about the importance of regular check-ups, monitoring blood pressure, and taking steps to lower it if it’s too high. Telehealth for women’s health and blood pressure remote monitoring are two valuable tools that make it easier for women to manage hypertension. They are especially for women who may have difficulty making it to regular doctor’s appointments.
Telehealth for Women’s Health and Blood Pressure Remote Monitoring
Telehealth for women’s health makes it easier for women to manage hypertension without constant in-person appointments. Telehealth combined with blood pressure remote monitoring makes it easier for women to manage and track hypertension. Through remote patient monitoring (RPM), patients can check their blood pressure at home using FDA-cleared RPM devices that transmit readings directly to their care team via a secure cellular or Bluetooth connection.
This real-time visibility enables clinicians to respond quickly, adjusting medications or offering guidance before issues escalate. For women balancing work, caregiving, and their own health, this kind of accessible care is both empowering and life-saving.
Research on Blood Pressure Remote Monitoring
A study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital demonstrated the effectiveness of blood pressure remote monitoring in managing blood pressure. In addition, the study explored the potential of remote blood pressure monitoring for hypertension management. In the pilot study, 130 patients with uncontrolled blood pressure were enrolled. These patients were equipped with a Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure device and instructed to measure their blood pressure twice daily. Real-time readings were transmitted to patient navigators through a dashboard, allowing them to monitor and manage the patient’s condition daily.
The patient navigators played a crucial role in the study, educating patients on lifestyle modifications and offering motivation to facilitate necessary behavioral changes. They also received a treatment algorithm developed by hypertension specialists at the hospital based on established protocols.
The researchers reported that the pilot study achieved an overall blood pressure control rate of 81% among the participating patients. This indicates that the remote monitoring approach was highly influential in managing hypertension.
Benefits of Home Blood Pressure Remote Monitoring in Women’s Health
Telehealth for women’s health includes home blood pressure remote monitoring. For example, home blood pressure monitoring can be especially beneficial for pregnant patients with obstetric hypertension. High blood pressure is a common pregnancy complication, and it can be dangerous for both the mother and baby if left untreated. By monitoring their blood pressure at home, pregnant women can catch any spikes in their blood pressure early and seek medical attention if necessary.
One recent study concludes that RPM for managing diabetes in pregnancy is superior to traditional paper-based methods and associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. The study found that remote pregnancy monitoring patients had better results, achieving glycemic control in the preferred target range more quickly and with fewer complications, including lower preeclampsia and neonatal hypoglycemia rates.
Another benefit of blood pressure remote monitoring is that it can help women stay on top of their health even when busy. So many women juggle work, family, and other responsibilities, and finding time for regular doctor’s appointments is challenging. Telehealth, for women’s health, can empower women to take control of their health and manage their condition on their schedule.
Tenovi RPM Blood Pressure Monitor
Patients should choose blood pressure remote monitoring devices that are easy to use and comfortable at home. Tenovi’s BPM device, for example, eliminates the hassle of complicated setup and is user-friendly.
The Tenovi RPM blood pressure monitor is a Bluetooth device that transmits vital patient sign-monitoring data through the Tenovi Cellular Gateway using the same cellular network as our mobile phones. Bluetooth devices with a cellular Gateway can connect many remote patient monitoring devices simultaneously. For example, preprogrammed wireless blood pressure monitors, scales, blood glucose meters, and pulse oximeters can connect to the Tenovi Gateway.
To measure blood pressure, the patient wraps the cuff around their upper arm, presses the middle button, and inflates the cuff to take the reading. The device then sends the data to the remote patient monitoring platform.
A blood pressure reading above 130/80 mm Hg is considered hypertensive and increases the risk of stroke. Therefore, a physician or qualified medical professional can set a threshold to receive real-time alerts if a patient’s blood pressure reading is too high. Healthcare professionals can also use RPM to monitor blood pressure reading trends and observe how patients respond to medications.
Telehealth for Women’s Health Key Points
In conclusion, National Women’s Health Week is a necessary time to focus on women’s health and well-being. Managing high blood pressure is crucial to women’s health, and blood pressure remote monitoring can be valuable. This technology allows women to monitor their blood pressure levels and stay on top of their health, no matter how busy their lives are. Schedule a free demo with Tenovi to learn more about our remote patient monitoring solutions.
