Strong scientific evidence shows that self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP), also known as home blood pressure monitoring, plus clinical support helps people with hypertension lower their blood pressure.
SMBP is the regular measurement of blood pressure by the patient outside the clinical setting, either at home or elsewhere. SMBP requires the use of a home blood pressure measurement device by the patient to measure blood pressure at different points in time.
SMBP plus clinical support can improve access to care and quality of care for individuals with hypertension while making blood pressure control more convenient and accessible across the population. Clinical support includes regular one-on-one counseling, web-based or telephonic support tools, and educational classes.
Strong evidence suggests that SMBP—when combined with regular support from trained health care professionals—is effective in lowering blood pressure among hypertensive patients. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guide outlines action steps that public health practitioners can take to support SMBP.
SMBP plus additional clinical support is one strategy that can reduce the risk of disability or death from high blood pressure. The purpose of this CDC guide is to help clinicians implement SMBP in their practices by providing evidence-based action steps and resources.
This program, from the American Medical Association and Johns Hopkins Medicine, is designed for use by physician offices and health centers to engage patients in SMBP. This program describes various ways that the patient can obtain blood pressure measurements outside of the clinical office either through the purchase of a device or a physician-led blood pressure monitor loaner program.
This interactive infographic, from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, can be used to inform health care providers about SMBP, the burden of high blood pressure, and the medical and financial advantages of an SMBP monitoring program.
Several Million Hearts® partners have demonstrated success in lowering blood pressure by using SMBP. Read more about how they incorporated SMBP into their practices.