Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2025
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Virtual Expansion of the YMCA's Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring (BPSM) Program: Using Telehealth to Adapt an
Brittney Grant1, Kristian Myers, Halie Patterson
1Author Affiliations: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, South Carolina (Mss Grant, Myers, and James); Rock Hill, South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (Mss Patterson and Garst and Mr Tucker), and University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (Mr Suthar).
Context:
Disparities in cardiovascular disease prevalence and death exist among South Carolina's rural residents. Blood pressure self-monitoring (BPSM), where individuals measure their own blood pressure outside of the clinical environment, coupled with additional support, is an evidence-based, cost-effective strategy that is underutilized at large.
Program:
The YMCA's BPSM program is an evidence-based, 4-month program that includes 2 individualized office hours with a Healthy Heart Ambassador and 4 nutrition education sessions per month. Participants are provided with a blood pressure cuff and notebook to track their blood pressure at home in between sessions.
Implementation:
The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control partnered with the SC Alliance of YMCAs to expand the YMCA's BPSM program virtually. The traditional program was adapted to allow for virtual participant encounters. To target rural communities, partnerships were leveraged or established with rural health centers, federally qualified health centers, free medical clinics, and other state health department regions for participant referrals into the program.
Evaluation:
A developmental evaluation design was utilized to monitor the virtual adaptation of the YMCA's BPSM program from April 2021 to May 2023. At the end of the project, 10 referral sources were identified to refer participants to the program. In total, 253 participants were referred to the program, 126 participants enrolled into the program, and 52 participants completed the program. Completers of the virtual program were successful in improving their blood pressure.
Discussion:
Successes of the virtual program were not without challenges. Lessons learned from the virtual expansion of this program included ensuring participants' readiness to engage in a 4-month program, assessing participants' digital literacy, and considering broadband access in rural areas. Improvements in blood pressure and the program's reach demonstrate merit in continuing to scale the virtual adaptation of this program; however, contextual and structural factors should be considered.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring
Several factors...
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
01:30Pulse rhythm
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac...
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
01:30Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.