Targeting better hypertension control with the usage of the ESH smartphone application

Uncontrolled blood pressure is a main issue in the management of hypertensive patients, while mobile health (mHealth) offers a new perspective. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of an mHealth app-based intervention, the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) CARE, in the management of uncontrolled hypertensive patients.

This was a two-arm randomized, controlled trial conducted among 107 hypertensive patients, with uncontrolled office (≥140/90 mmHg) and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (≥130/80 mmHg). After antihypertensive drug treatment initiation or intensification, patients were 1:1 randomized to application assisted strategy (AAS) group or usual care group, with scheduled visits at 1 and 3 months. In ASS group there was a virtual visit, while in usual care group there was an office visit. At 6 months, there was a final visit assessment with office and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurement. The mean age of the total population (n = 107) was 52.9 ± 9.6 years, 50.5% were women, without any significant differences in the baseline characteristics. At 6 months, 50% in the usual care group and 78.2% in the AAS group (P = 0.002) achieved both systolic and diastolic ambulatory BP targets (<130/80 mmHg). Regarding office BP, there was a reduction of 19.9 ± 9.1/12.4 ± 7.7 mmHg in the usual care group and 25.1 ± 6.4/16.3 ± 6.3 mmHg in the AAS group, while regarding ambulatory BP, there was a reduction of 6.6 ± 9.2/3.3 ± 6.2 mmHg and 10.9 ± 9.1/6.4 ± 5.5 mmHg, respectively.

Follow-up of hypertensive patients with the ESH Care App is feasible and contributes to a significantly better office and out-of-office BP control after 6 months.