Livongo touts first connected BP monitor

Consumer digital health company Livongo Health today announced the first cellular-enabled blood pressure monitoring system in the U.S.

Cellular connectivity allows for easy checking and reporting from home, eliminating the so-called “white coat” syndrome that leads to unnecessary prescriptions for high blood pressure, the company said in a prepared statement. Nearly 65% of people already using Livongo for Diabetes also have hypertension, so an integrated approach may make it easier for people who are managing multiple conditions to stay healthy. Early results from some of Livongo’s most innovative self-insured employers have shown meaningful health improvements for people with hypertension, according to a company analysis.

The cellular-enabled monitoring system allows blood pressure data to transfer seamlessly to the Cloud. Based on their blood pressure data and trends, users receive personalized, insight-driven alerts, messaging and virtual coaching from licensed professionals certified in chronic-condition management.

“Just as we did with diabetes, Livongo wants to make it easier for people to stay for people to stay healthy by checking their blood pressure, receiving real-time personalized feedback, sharing the information with their physician and other members of their connected care community from home, thereby avoiding a rise in blood pressure that can come with visiting a doctor,” said Amar Kendale, Livongo’s chief product officer, in the statement. “We’re proud to introduce the first cellular-enabled blood pressure monitoring system to market in the U.S. and to add this capability to our comprehensive platform for people with all kinds of chronic conditions. This allows us to treat the whole person and the challenges they face in a seamless manner.”

Livongo introduced its combined hypertension and diabetes solution in January 2018. In the initial cohort of people who have both diabetes and hypertension, 81% reduced their blood pressure, according to the company study and one published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Individuals with mean blood pressures greater than 130/80 decreased their systolic blood pressure by nine mmHg on average, lowering their risk of stroke and heart attacks by at least 35% and 25%, respectively. Participants gave the product high ratings and early adopters reported 60% of eligible members enrolled in the program in the first 30 days, the company noted.

Livongo was set to introduce the hypertension solution at the Health 2.0 conference in Santa Clara, Calif. today.