Arterial hypertension and telemedicine in times of pandemic

Abstract

The pandemic caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus started in late 2019 in China and spread rapidly around the world. The great impact it had on hypertensive patients has generated a change in the medical care paradigm, giving impetus to a virtual care modality, telemedicine. The objective of this work is to evaluate the technique of blood pressure measurement (equipment and procedure), its knowledge in this regard and, based on this, educate the hypertensive patient. Material and methods: descriptive and observational study of 426 patients, over 18 years of age, who requested a consultation by telemedicine in a community hospital, during July and November 2020. The patient was questioned about the equipment used, the measurement technique and on the knowledge of the blood pressure figures that defined him as hypertensive. Results: Of 426 patients, 49% were 62-year-old women. 92.95% had a blood pressure monitor at home, of which 73% were electronic arm, 16.16% were electronic wrist and 10.84% manual. Only 53% had a validated blood pressure monitor. 35% of the total made at least 2 records and 39.2% knew their blood pressure values considered normal. This observational study demonstrates that not many patients own validated pressure meters; also, most of the subjects do not apply a proper technique and the understanding rate on normal thresholds for hypertension is low.