Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring + Community Health Worker Support for High Blood Pressure

(LINKED-BP Trial)

This trial tests a new program to manage high blood pressure (BP) through home monitoring and support from community health workers. One group will receive usual care with a home BP monitor, while the other will receive additional support, including training on BP measurement, use of a telemonitoring app, and lifestyle advice. The LINKED-BP Program targets adults with high BP who are not yet on medication and receive care at specific health centers. Individuals informed of higher-than-normal BP but not on treatment may find this trial suitable. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative methods for managing high BP with personalized support.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes those already on antihypertensive medication. If you are on such medication, you would not be eligible to participate.

Research has shown that the LINKED-BP Program helps individuals monitor their blood pressure at home using a telemonitoring app called Sphygmo. The program includes support from community health workers who provide education and lifestyle advice. These methods are well-known for managing high blood pressure.

Home blood pressure monitors and telemonitoring apps are generally safe. These tools are designed to be user-friendly and non-invasive. No reports of serious side effects or problems have emerged with this approach. Support from community health workers adds extra safety by offering guidance and helping participants understand how to manage their condition effectively.

Researchers are excited about the LINKED-BP Program because it combines home blood pressure telemonitoring with personalized support from community health workers (CHWs), offering a fresh approach to managing high blood pressure. Unlike the standard care, which typically involves routine checkups and medication, this program empowers patients to actively monitor their blood pressure using a digital device and app, even providing smartphones to those who need them. The involvement of CHWs is particularly unique, as they offer ongoing education, support, and link patients to necessary resources, potentially addressing not just medical needs but social factors affecting health as well. This comprehensive, tech-enabled approach could lead to more effective blood pressure management and improved overall health outcomes.

Research has shown that the LINKED-BP Program, which participants in this trial may receive, can effectively manage high blood pressure. This program combines home blood pressure monitoring, a telemonitoring app called Sphygmo, and support from community health workers. This approach enables patients to regularly check their blood pressure and receive advice on lifestyle changes. Early results indicate that patients in this program achieve better blood pressure control than those in the Enhanced Usual Care arm, who only monitor their blood pressure at home. Thus, the LINKED-BP Program could be a promising method to prevent more serious high blood pressure.¹²⁴⁵⁶