2022, Supplement 3
Cardiovasc Metab Sci 2022; 33 (S3)
High blood pressure and telemedicine: past, present and future
Álvarez-López, Humberto
ABSTRACT
In a contemporary world accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has become an excellent option to offer remote consultations to control chronic degenerative diseases of high prevalence, such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemias. This review discusses precedents, ethical and legal aspects, and their current implementations towards managing high blood pressure (HBP). Although there are several reasons and clear benefits for implementing telemedicine, there are legal, ethical, and practical limitations and poor knowledge of its application within healthcare professionals. Appropriate ethical practice and an adequate legal framework within telemedicine will bypass all considerable risks related to quality, safety, and continuity of care associated with this practice. Regarding practical aspects, physician's clinical judgment is fundamental to know if it is possible to give medical consultation through telemedicine according to every patient's health requirement. Through diverse electronic and technological tools, the physicians could guarantee an appropriate medical consultation and handle follow-up visits. In general medicine, it could be possible that telemedicine would help to reduce the burden of care for patients with chronic diseases, decrease bureaucratic procedures, and support physicians practicing in isolated areas.