Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: September 26, 2018
Current situation of telemedicine research for cardiovascular risk in Japan
Shigeru Shibata1, Satoshi Hoshide2
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. shigeru.shibata@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp.
Insights
Telemedicine shows promise for managing hypertension in Japan, but more research is needed. Current evidence is limited, with few studies demonstrating telemedicine
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Digital Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and kidney disease.
- Optimal hypertension control remains a challenge for many of Japan's 40 million hypertensive patients.
- The Japanese Society of Hypertension's Future Plan emphasizes digital health solutions for better blood pressure management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence for telemedicine in managing hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors in Japan.
- To identify gaps in research supporting the widespread adoption of telemedicine for hypertension care.
- To inform future strategies for implementing digital health in cardiovascular medicine.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on telemedicine for hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors in Japan.
- Analysis of interventional studies assessing the efficacy of telemedicine compared to standard care.
- Evaluation of the variability in telemedicine consultation methods across studies.
Main Results:
- Very few interventional studies in Japan have demonstrated the superiority or non-inferiority of telemedicine over standard care for hypertension.
- Existing research shows considerable variation in the methodologies employed for online consultations.
- The evidence base supporting widespread telemedicine implementation for hypertension in Japan is currently limited.
Conclusions:
- More robust evidence is required to support the broad implementation of telemedicine for hypertensive patients in Japan.
- Further research should focus on standardized telemedicine protocols and rigorous interventional studies.
- Digital health technologies hold potential, but their effective integration into hypertension management requires further validation.
Abstract:
Hypertension continues to be a principal risk factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular disorders, stroke, and kidney diseases. Although more than 40 million subjects suffer from hypertension in Japan, its optimal control is achieved only a subpopulation of patients, highlighting the need for novel approaches to manage this disorder. Toward the better control of blood pressure, the Japanese Society of Hypertension has developed the Future Plan, in which the application of the state-of-art information and communication technology, including web-based resources, artificial intelligence, and big data analysis, is considered as one of the promising solutions. In fact, the rapid advance of digital health technologies, as well as ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, has triggered the structural changes in the healthcare system globally, increasing demand for the remote delivery of the medical services. Nonetheless, it is not entirely clear what evidence exists that support the widespread use of telemedicine in Japan. Here, we summarize the current status of telemedicine research, particularly in the field of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors. We note that there have been very few interventional studies in Japan that clearly showed the superiority or noninferiority of telemedicine over standard care, and that the methods of online consultation considerably varied among studies. Clearly, more evidence is necessary for wide implementation of telemedicine in hypertensive patients in Japan, and also those with other cardiovascular risk factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care