Background and goal: Underserved groups are at higher risk for uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), which can lead to heart disease and higher death rates. This study assessed the effect of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Orange County, California’s DIG IT remote monitoring program on blood pressure control in underprivileged patients.
Study approach: Researchers looked at two groups: 70 patients who used the DIG IT program, which includes medication management, team-based care, and digital blood pressure monitoring, and a historical control group of 70 patients who had normal care without the use of digital tools. Those with uncontrolled hypertension 40 years of age and older were the study’s target population. Over three months, researchers monitored blood pressure readings and heart disease risk scores.
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Main findings:
• The DIG IT program patients experienced an average 31-point decrease in systolic blood pressure. In comparison, the control group saw a drop of only 15 points. In the DIG IT group, diastolic blood pressure dropped by 11 points, while in the control group, it dropped by just 5 points.
• The projected 10-year risk of heart disease by the American College of Cardiology was significantly lowered due to the program. In comparison to patients in the control group, individuals in the DIG IT group had twice as much improvement.
• Compared to 37% of patients in the control group, nearly 73% of patients in the DIG IT program achieved their blood pressure objectives within three months.
Why it matters: These results demonstrate how remote monitoring initiatives, such as DIG IT, can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease and improve blood pressure control in marginalized groups. These systems enable prompt interventions, which are essential for controlling chronic diseases, by integrating digital health tools with real-time treatment.
