New Approaches in Hypertension Management: a Review of Current and Developing Technologies and Their Potential Impact on Hypertension Care

ABSTRACT: Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Currently, around a third of people with hypertension are undiagnosed, and of those diagnosed, around half are not taking antihypertensive medications. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that high blood pressure directly or indirectly causes deaths of at least nine million people globally every year. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we examine how emerging technologies might support improved detection and management of hypertension not only in the wider population but also within special population groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with atrial fibrillation. RECENT FINDINGS: There is an emerging trend to empower patients to support hypertension screening and diagnosis, and several studies have shown the benefit of tele-monitoring, particularly when coupled with co-intervention, in improving the management of hypertension. SUMMARY: Novel technology including smartphones and Bluetooth®-enabled tele-monitoring are evolving as key players in hypertension management and offer particular promise within pregnancy and developing countries. The most pressing need is for these new technologies to be properly assessed and clinically validated prior to widespread implementation in the general population.