May 21, 2026- Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have hypertension (48.1%, or 119.9 million), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Patients are often not aware that their blood pressure is elevated – which is why it is referred to as an ‘invisible killer.’ Hypertension puts patients at an elevated risk of a heart attack or stroke and results in nearly 145 million emergency department visits across the U.S. each year.
Gaps in monitoring and education can prevent patients from getting timely intervention and seeking treatment for hypertension. When patients leave a medical facility after being diagnosed with hypertension, they are often unaware of their day-to-day blood pressure readings and what personal changes they can make to lower their blood pressure.
To address these gaps, UC Davis Health launched an at-home monitoring program in 2024 for patients with high blood pressure. Using connected medical devices, the program aims to promote wellness and better blood pressure control for patients.