Glenview study shows remote monitoring program improves blood pressure control

A pilot program at the Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center using remote blood pressure monitoring to improve care for patients with hypertension has been published in the Journal for Healthcare Quality, highlighting meaningful gains in patient outcomes.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease and often develops without noticeable symptoms. Consistent monitoring is critical to managing the condition and preventing long-term complications.

“This study reinforces that consistent blood pressure monitoring is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect heart health,” said Emily S. Tuchman, MD, internal medicine at Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center. “By making it easier for patients to track and share readings in real time, we can intervene earlier and prevent complications before they happen.”

The yearlong study followed nearly 500 patients who used at-home devices to automatically send blood pressure readings to their care teams. Researchers found that, on average, patients experienced a meaningful drop in systolic blood pressure — a reduction associated with lower risk of serious cardiovascular events.

The study also demonstrated that the Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center’s team-based approach combining physicians, advanced practice providers and support staff improved care without increasing the workload for primary care clinicians.

“What makes this program innovative is not just the technology, but how the care team works together around it,” said Micah J. Eimer, MD, associate chief medical officer at Northwestern Medicine and cardiologist at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital. “It’s a model for how we can scale remote monitoring more broadly and reach more patients before high blood pressure leads to serious disease.”

Leaders say the findings point to broader opportunities to expand remote monitoring programs and increase awareness about the importance of regular blood pressure tracking.

“This is a scalable, patient-centered approach to managing a very common and very serious condition,” Eimer said. “Our goal is to expand access to this kind of care so more patients can take control of their blood pressure and their long-term health.”

The research was supported by a Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital Quality and Innovation Grant and is expected to help inform future remote monitoring programs across Northwestern Medicine.