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We evaluated daily self-monitored blood pressure (BP) data collected over one year using remote home monitoring. Fifty treated, moderately hypertensive subjects (26 males, mean age 50 years; 17 females, mean age 54 years; seven exclusions) were recruited for the study in which semi-automatic arm-cuff BP measurement devices were used. The daily self-monitoring regimen had two phases of usage: one of initial enthusiasm (the first one to two months) followed by a phase of lower usage (89% versus 64%, P<0.01). Monitoring was missed more often (P < 0.01) during weekends (7.3 instances per patient) compared with workdays (5.0). Lack of motivation was not considered to be a major barrier. Approximately half of the study population was willing to continue the trial at the end of the one-year study. The occurrence of extreme BP values dropped significantly after the initial study month (P = 0.02). In conclusion, routine remote BP monitoring is capable of collecting consistent and accurate data, with sufficient sensitivity to reveal trends.

Home monitoring of blood pressure and self-reported drug administration were investigated. Fifty hypertensive patients used a home telemonitoring service for a year. An average of 39% reported that they had followed their prescribed drug intake. Long-term treatment effectiveness was measured as the change in the weekly average morning systolic blood pressure (SBP). Sixteen patients showed a decrease in SBP, 21 no change and 13 a rise in SBP. There was a significant relationship between reported drug intake and variation in daily blood pressure. Groups differed in the magnitude of this effect. Compared with other groups, the difference (3.4 mmHg) between morning and evening SBP was greatest (and significant) in the patients whose blood pressure decreased during the study. Self-reported data using remote home monitoring reveals considerable differences in patterns of compliance with prescribed treatment as well as in the effectiveness of the drug regime.

Most cardiovascular risk factors were better controlled in the Swedish hypertensives, except for a higher smoking prevalence in Swedish female patients. This could be related not only to differences in clinical practice, but also influenced by social and lifestyle factors.