Cardiovascular Health Markers with Remote Team-Based Hypertension Management in a Safety-Net Population.

INTRODUCTION

The impact of remote patient monitoring (RPM) for hypertension (HTN) on cardiovascular health (CVH) remains ill-defined. This study characterized the association between a RPM, team-based HTN intervention and CVH markers.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-arm cohort study included patients with uncontrolled HTN enrolled February 2022-July 2024 in the ALTA trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03713515) at five safety-net practices. The ALTA intervention involves RPM supported by a virtual clinic including a nurse practitioner (NP), registered nurse, and community health worker. Demographics, ALTA utilization, and CVH markers (blood pressure [BP], lipids, glycemic indicators, body mass index [BMI], and smoking) at baseline and 12 months were collected. Five markers were scored (0=poor, 1=intermediate, 2=ideal) and summed into a CVH score. The primary endpoint was the 12-month CVH score change in patients with baseline score ≤7. Secondary endpoints included individual non-BP marker changes in patients with baseline derangements.

RESULTS

Among 568 patients (mean age: 56 years), most were female, non-Hispanic Black, and English-speaking. NP visits were more common among females (p=0.04); no other demographics predicted ALTA utilization. The CVH score improved from 4.5 to 5.2 (n=196, p<0.001), independent of ALTA utilization. Total cholesterol (n=86, p<0.001), LDL (n=128, p<0.001), and triglycerides (n=51, p=0.004) improved. Hemoglobin A1c (n=195) dropped among patients with ≥1 NP visit (p=0.02). Fasting glucose (n=135) and BMI (n=289) decreased in the highest tertile of NP visits (p=0.03) and RPM (p=0.02), respectively. 4 of 27 patients quit smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

RPM with team-based support was associated with CVH improvements. Benefits may depend on intervention utilization.