Women who didn’t have risk factors going into pregnancy are experiencing maternal health complications at higher rates than ever before, the Washington Post reports.
They are particularly vulnerable to blood pressure complications. According to the Post, rates of newly developed and chronic maternal high blood pressure skyrocketed from 2007 through 2019, and they show no signs of slowing.
Hospitals are re-evaluating their standard approaches to HDP as a result. The early identification and management of HDP are essential to improving maternal health outcomes. With an outsized impact on minority women, addressing HDP is also critical for reducing healthcare disparities.
One tool that has shown promise in the management of hypertension is remote patient monitoring (RPM) for blood pressure, which allows continuous tracking and immediate intervention as necessary. It is especially — and uniquely — valuable for pregnancy, where the stakes are significantly different from those in chronic hypertension cases.
Here are five key distinctions between HDP and chronic hypertension — and why RPM for BP is uniquely beneficial for maternal health needs.
Pregnancy is a unique use case
Pregnancy is a unique cardiovascular event, essentially a “stress test” that can reveal underlying conditions and cause rapid cardiovascular changes, sometimes resulting in hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia. These conditions can be severe, leading to complications for both the mother and the baby if not managed promptly. Unlike chronic hypertension, HDP requires more immediate and precise monitoring to address the sudden and acute risks it presents.
Pregnancy-specific blood pressure changes
Normal blood pressure parameters shift during pregnancy. Even a minor increase can signal the beginning of HDP, necessitating closer and more frequent monitoring to capture these changes early. RPM enables regular monitoring without requiring the patient to visit a healthcare facility each time, ensuring that trends are observed as they develop and enabling faster clinical intervention.
Pregnancy is a defined, time-Bound episode
Pregnancy, unlike a chronic health condition, has a defined timeframe, making it more feasible to scale effective RPM interventions for hypertensive disorders within this period. This targeted approach, centered around the specific needs and risks of pregnancy, allows for better cost control and higher patient engagement than chronic hypertension management, where continuous RPM over years can be financially challenging.
Pregnancy is a 2+ patient health event
Pregnancy is unique in that it affects both the mother and the developing fetus, creating a heightened sense of responsibility that often leads mothers to prioritize health management more diligently. Women of reproductive age, moreover, are more open to using digital health tools. Studies show that this age group is inclined toward digital solutions, making them a natural fit for RPM. This increased willingness to engage with health technology enhances adherence to RPM recommendations and encourages consistent blood pressure monitoring, critical for managing HDP.
RPM for HDP can bridge gaps in maternal health equity
HDP disproportionately affects women in underserved communities, who often face barriers to accessing regular in-person prenatal care. RPM can alleviate these barriers by allowing healthcare providers to monitor at-risk patients remotely, reducing the burden on both the patients and the healthcare system. By identifying issues early, RPM reduces emergency hospital visits and mitigates complications, thereby lowering overall costs associated with HDP.
RPM for blood pressure monitoring should be considered an essential intervention for managing the unique and critical demands of HDP. By investing in RPM for HDP, we can improve patient outcomes and also create a more efficient, equitable healthcare system that addresses one of the most pressing challenges in maternal health.
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