Impact of home blood pressure monitoring on blood pressure control in older individuals: a French randomized study

Calibration-Free Cuffless Blood Pressure Estimation Based on a Population With a Diverse Range of Age and Blood Pressure

This study presents a new blood pressure (BP) estimation algorithm utilizing machine learning (ML). A cuffless device that can measure BP without calibration would be precious for portability, continuous measurement, and comfortability, but unfortunately, it does not currently exist. Conventional BP measurement with a cuff is standard, but this method has various problems like inaccurate BP measurement, poor portability, and painful cuff pressure. To overcome these disadvantages, many researchers have developed cuffless BP estimation devices. However, these devices are not clinically applicable because they require advanced preparation before use, such as calibration, do not follow international standards (81060-1:2007), or have been designed using insufficient data sets. The present study was conducted to combat these issues. We recruited 127 participants and obtained 878 raw datasets. According to international standards, our diverse data set included participants from different age groups with a wide variety of blood pressures. We utilized ML to formulate a BP estimation method that did not require calibration. The present study also conformed to the method required by international standards while calculating the level of error in BP estimation. Two essential methods were applied in this study: (a) grouping the participants into five subsets based on the relationship between the pulse transit time and systolic BP by a support vector machine ensemble with bagging (b) applying the information from the wavelet transformation of the pulse wave and the electrocardiogram to the linear regression BP estimation model for each group. For systolic BP, the standard deviation of error for the proposed BP estimation results with cross-validation was 7.74 mmHg, which was an improvement from 17.05 mmHg, as estimated by the conventional pulse-transit-time-based methods. For diastolic BP, the standard deviation of error was 6.42 mmHg for the proposed BP estimation, which was an improvement from 14.05mmHg. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate and evaluate the performance of the newly developed BP estimation ML method that meets the international standard for non-invasive sphygmomanometers in a population with a diverse range of age and BP.

Orthostatic hypotension: a marker of blood pressure variability and arterial stiffness: a cross-sectional study on an elderly population: the 3-City study

BACKGROUND

Orthostatic hypotension, blood pressure (BP) variability, and arterial stiffness are three markers of cardiovascular risk beyond the average BP. However, the relationships between these three parameters are not well known.

AIM

To examine the relationships between orthostatic hypotension, BP variability, and arterial stiffness.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the Three-City study, a sample of 1151 elderly participants (mean age = 80 ± 3 years) was screened for orthostatic hypotension, undertook home BP and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements. We performed logistic regression analyses to look at the associations between orthostatic hypotension and both day-to-day (D-to-D) BP variability quartiles and PWV quartiles. Orthostatic hypotension was detected in 210 participants who were more likely to be hypertensive, exhibit higher BP variability and have increased arterial stiffness. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the frequency of orthostatic hypotension increased by 20% with every quartile of D-to-D SBP variability and by 20% with every quartile of PWV. PWV and D-to-D BP variability were not associated. In stratified analysis, the use of beta-blocker changes these relationships: orthostatic hypotension was not associated to PWV anymore but its association with D-to-D SBP variability was apparently stronger.

CONCLUSION

In this large sample of elderly individuals, orthostatic hypotension was independently associated with both BP variability and PWV. BP variability being more indicative of a baroreflex dysfunction and PWV being a marker of vascular ageing, these two components would participate to the orthostatic hypotension mechanisms.

Effects of self-management programs on blood pressure, self-efficacy, medication adherence and body mass index in older adults with hypertension: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

To assess the effects of self-management interventions on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, self-efficacy, medication adherence and body mass index in older adults with hypertension.

BACKGROUND

Effective treatment of hypertension may require the practice of self-management behaviours. However, evidence on effects of self-management interventions on blood pressure, self-efficacy, medication adherence and body mass index in older adults with hypertension is lacking.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid-Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and other sources were searched to October 2020.

REVIEW METHODS

Data were analysed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2.0 and quality assessment was done using ROB 2.0. The pooled effect sizes were reported as Hedges' g values with corresponding 95% confidence intervals using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Twelve randomized controlled trials met our inclusion criteria. The results revealed that self-management interventions significantly decreased blood pressure and increased self-efficacy and medication adherence in older adult patients with hypertension, with no significant effect on body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-management interventions have considerable beneficial effects in older adults with hypertension. Health care providers should implement self-management interventions to strengthen the patient's role in managing their health.

Effects of a Community Population Health Initiative on Blood Pressure Control in Latinos

Background

Hypertension remains one of the most important, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Yet, the largest minority ethnic group (Hispanics/Latinos) often have different health outcomes and behavior, making hypertension management more difficult. We explored the effects of an American Heart Association–sponsored population health intervention aimed at modifying behavior of Latinos living in Texas.

Methods and Results

We enrolled 8071 patients, and 5714 (65.7%) completed the 90‐day program (58.5 years ±11.7; 59% female) from July 2016 to June 2018. Navigators identified patients with risk factors; initial and final blood pressure (BP) readings were performed in the physician's office; and interim home measurements were recorded telephonically. The intervention incorporated home BP monitoring, fitness and nutritional counseling, and regular follow‐up. Primary outcomes were change in systolic BP and health‐related quality of life. Using a univariate paired‐samples pre–post design, we found an average 5.5% (7.6‐mm Hg) improvement in systolic BP (139.1 versus 131.5, t=10.32, P<0.001). Quality of life measured by the European quality of life 5‐dimension visual analog scale improved from 0.79 to 0.82 (t=31.03, P<0.001). After multivariate regression analyses, improvements in quality of life and overall body mass index were significantly associated with reductions in systolic BP.

Conclusions

A noninvasive, population health initiative that encourages routine engagement in patients’ own BP control was associated with improvements in systolic BP and quality of life for this largely Latino community.