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Mobile Health (mHealth) Technology for the Management of Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia: Slow Start but Loads of Potential

  • Coronary Heart Disease (S. Virani and S. Naderi, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Atherosclerosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Hypertension and hyperlipidemia represent two major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Mobile health or mHealth is defined as the use of mobile phone and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives. Management of hypertension, and to some extent hyperlipidemia, has often employed mHealth interventions given lower cost and greater patient engagement compared to traditional methods. These interventions include the use of text messaging, wireless devices, and mobile phone applications. This review considers recent studies evaluating the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in the management of hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

Recent Findings

Numerous studies have evaluated the role of mHealth interventions in the management of hypertension, while very few have evaluated their role in hyperlipidemia. Text messaging has been used most frequently. However, the trend is shifting towards the use of mobile phone applications and wireless devices. Interventions in developing countries have been modified for greater applicability to local settings. mHealth interventions were found to be frequently effective. However, studies comparing the relative efficacy of various mHealth strategies are scarce. Long-term cardiovascular outcomes data and analyses relating to cost effectiveness are also lacking.

Summary

mHealth interventions may be effective in improving hypertension management. More studies are needed to evaluate the role of mHealth strategies in hyperlipidemia management, particularly in identifying high-risk individuals and improving medication adherence. Studies assessing the long-term impact of these interventions, comparing different interventions and analyzing their relative cost effectiveness, are also needed. Following recently published guidelines on reporting results of mHealth interventions will provide a more meaningful context for interpreting these promising early studies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Hasan Rehman

  2. The Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan

    Ayeesha K. Kamal

  3. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Pamela B. Morris

  4. Aga Khan Development Network eHealth Resource Centre for Asia and Africa, Karachi, Pakistan

    Saleem Sayani

  5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Anwar T. Merchant

  6. WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA

    Anwar T. Merchant

  7. Section of Cardiology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Salim S. Virani

  8. Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Salim S. Virani

  9. Health Services Research and Development (152), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Salim S. Virani

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  1. Hasan Rehman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Salim S. Virani.

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Conflict of Interest

Hasan Rehman, Ayeesha K. Kamal, Saleem Sayani, and Anwar T. Merchant declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Pamela B. Morris declares being on the advisory boards for Amgen, AstraZeneca, and Sanofi Regeneron.

Salim Virani declares being an Associate Editor for Innovations, ACC.org.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Coronary Heart Disease

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Rehman, H., Kamal, A.K., Morris, P.B. et al. Mobile Health (mHealth) Technology for the Management of Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia: Slow Start but Loads of Potential. Curr Atheroscler Rep 19, 12 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-017-0649-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-017-0649-y

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