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Monitoring blood pressure at home can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
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People participating in the interval monitoring program had a 34% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease.
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Their readings were sent to a doctor who monitored their blood pressure
TUESDAY, June 16, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Encouraging patients to monitor their blood pressure at home may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart disease, a new study suggests.
People were 34% less likely to be hospitalized or die of a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure if they self-monitored their blood pressure at home and shared that information with their doctors.
The findings were recently reported in Pub European Heart Journal – Digital Health.
“This study provides the strongest evidence to date that telemonitoring not only reduces blood pressure, but also stroke and heart attack,” said the senior researcher. Dr. Brian McKinstry it is said in the news. He is Emeritus Professor of Primary Health Care at the University of Edinburgh, UK
For the new study, researchers analyzed data on nearly 450,000 high blood pressure patients treated across Scotland between 2019 and 2022. Of these, 9,500 people used the remote control service called Connect Me BP.
The monitoring service sent reminders to patients to check their blood pressure at home and collect patient readings. Then the service sent a report to the folk doctors that they will refer to the patients in necessary cases.
Those who participated in tele-monitoring had their blood pressure drop within the first three months and it remained low for more than a year.
The researchers concluded that this low blood pressure showed a 34% lower risk of heart problems compared to those who did not participate in the interval monitoring.
“Stroke, heart attack and heart failure are the leading causes of death and disability, and anything that reduces the risk is worthwhile,” said the lead researcher. Janet HanleyAssociate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University said in a news release. “Blood pressure telemonitoring does this by helping people improve blood pressure control and is easy and convenient to use.”
The researchers said that future studies should look at whether people at high heart risk could benefit more from telemonitoring.
“High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, and once people are diagnosed, they need to be closely monitored so that it can be treated effectively.” James Leiperdirector of research at the British Heart Association, said in a news release.
“This study is further evidence that allowing people to check their blood pressure regularly at home and send their results to their doctor with regular reminders is an effective approach that can help improve people’s blood pressure control,” continued Leiper, who was not involved in the study.
“The reduction in risk of hospitalization and death from major cardiovascular events seen in this study is encouraging. Innovative approaches like these can help people live longer,” he concluded.
More information
RAND has more information intermittent blood pressure monitoring.
Sources: University of Edinburgh, release, June 11, 2026; European Heart Journal – Digital HealthMay 26, 2026
What does this mean for you?
People with high blood pressure should discuss intermittent monitoring with their doctor.
