Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) for Hypertension

Background: Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) tracks patients’ blood pressure from home, helping improve outcomes, allowing early interventions, and increasing patient engagement.

Target Population: Any patient diagnosed with hypertension. Medicare and some private insurances cover this program. For now, the goal is to enroll every Medicare patient, and as we learn more about private insurance coverage in the future, we will expand to those patients as well. Any patient on CGM is not eligible for RPM for Hypertension.

Process: Our physicians discuss the benefits of the program during visits and forward information regarding eligible patients who are interested to our care team. Patients are provided with equipment, including a blood pressure cuff, along with education about the program.

Patients are required to check their blood pressure daily, and the readings are transmitted to our office. These readings are reviewed by our staff multiple times a day and triaged based on the numbers.

Triage

Blood Pressure: For most patients, the goal BP is <130/80 mmHg, though this may vary based on age, co-morbidities, and other patient-specific factors.

If SBP >180 mmHg and/or DBP >110 mmHg:

1. Confirm the reading.

2. Confirm if BP was checked appropriately (sitting/resting quietly, bladder empty, proper cuff size, arm rested at heart level, no caffeine 30 minutes prior, and if readings differ between arms—use the higher).

3. Check for new symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, severe headache, confusion, speech or vision changes, nausea/vomiting, palpitations).

If present → instruct the patient to seek emergency care immediately and inform our physicians.

If SBP >150 mmHg and/or DBP >100 mmHg without symptoms:

1. Confirm the reading.

2. Confirm correct BP technique.

3. Review current medications and adherence.

4. Check for recent changes by other providers.

5. Review OTC/herbal use.

6. Assess any changes in how medication is taken.

7. Review dietary salt intake or recent changes in diet.

8. Ask about recent stressors or pain.

9. Review recent trends for outliers vs. consistent patterns.

10. Document findings and inform our physicians. Our physicians will decide on adjustments and whether a televisit/office visit is needed sooner.

Low Blood Pressure:

If SBP <90 mmHg: review trends, confirm reading, check for symptoms (lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc.), ask the patient to hold antihypertensive medications, and inform our care team for recommendations.

If SBP <80 mmHg: confirm reading and, if accurate, advise holding BP medications, instruct patient to go to the ER, and inform our physicians.

Heart Rate:

If HR >110: check if patient has anxiety history and is on medication. If yes, advise taking medication and repeat the reading. If still high or with symptoms (lightheadedness, palpitations, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, chest pressure) → advise ER visit and inform our care team.

If HR <55: check for medications that slow HR (diltiazem, beta blockers, etc.). Advise holding the medication and inform our physicians.

If HR <50 and/or symptoms (lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, fainting, etc.) → advise ER visit and inform our care team.

Care Programs for Medicare Patients

Looking for more ways to stay connected to your health?

Learn how our Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Program uses technology to make care more proactive, efficient, and convenient.

Explore the Connected Care Program (Chronic Care Management – CCM) for personalized support in managing multiple chronic conditions and reducing hospitalizations.

Call us today at (609) 350-6780 or request an appointment with our Nephrology or Cardiology specialists to learn more about these care programs and get started.