HHS HealthBeat (August 21, 2008)

Tracking blood pressure online

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A study of people with high blood pressure finds dealing with the Internet can affect your blood pressure.

In this case, not raise it. Lower it.

Dr. Beverly Green of the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle says patients doubled their chances of controlling their blood pressure when they worked with their pharmacist from home via the Internet. The patients used a home blood pressure monitoring system, with training and advice from their pharmacist through a secure Web site.

“In those that received the blood pressure monitors, web training, and the pharmacist assistance, 56 percent of them had their blood pressure controlled.” (10 seconds)

Green encourages people with high blood pressure who have Internet access at home to use email when they work with their health care team.

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August, 21 2008