Abstract
Background: hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and remains a major public health challenge worldwide. Patient adherence to antihypertensive therapy is often suboptimal, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have emerged as promising tools to enhance medication adherence and support self-monitoring of blood pressure.
Objective: this review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth applications in improving blood pressure control among hypertensive patients.
Methods: a systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Relevant studies were identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as “hypertension,” “telemedicine,” and “blood pressure.” Articles were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and findings were synthesized descriptively to identify trends and outcomes across studies.
Results: evidence indicates that mHealth applications integrating patient education, monitoring, and behavioral support are associated with improved medication adherence and reductions in blood pressure. However, results varied across studies due to differences in intervention design, duration of use, and patient characteristics.
Conclusion: mHealth applications show potential as effective adjuncts to hypertension management, but further research is needed to optimize personalization, integration with health systems, and accessibility. Proper implementation of these technologies may enhance patient quality of life and contribute to reducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
References
Al-Anazi, A. F., Gul, R., Al-Harbi, F. T., Al-Radhi, S. A., Al-Harbi, H., Altaher, A., ... & ALGhasab, N. S. (2023). Home versus clinic blood pressure monitoring: evaluating applicability in hypertension management via telemedicine. Diagnostics, 13(16), 2686. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13162686
Arshed, M., Mahmud, A., Minhat, H. S., Lim, P. Y., & Zakar, R. (2024). Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Mobile Health Intervention (Multi-Aid-Package) in Medication Adherence and Treatment Outcomes Among Patients With Hypertension in a Low- to Middle-Income Country: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 12, e50248. https://doi.org/10.2196/50248
Battistoni, A., Tocci, G., Gallo, G., Solfanelli, G., & Volpe, M. (2024). A Mobile App-based Approach in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Prospective Randomized Study. High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention : the official journal of the Italian Society of Hypertension, 31(1), 93–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-024-00625-5
Bernabe-Ortiz, A., Pauschardt, J., Diez-Canseco, F., & Miranda, J. J. (2020). Sustainability of mHealth Effects on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: Five-Year Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(4), e14595. https://doi.org/10.2196/14595
Buis, L. R., Kim, J., Sen, A., Chen, D., Dawood, K., Kadri, R., Muladore, R., Plegue, M., Richardson, C. R., Djuric, Z., McNaughton, C., Hutton, D., Robert, L. P., Park, S. Y., & Levy, P. (2024). The Effect of an mHealth Self-Monitoring Intervention (MI-BP) on Blood Pressure Among Black Individuals With Uncontrolled Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 12, e57863. https://doi.org/10.2196/57863
Ghavami, M., Abdshah, A., Sadeghian, S., Ahmadi, A., Jolani, M. S., Akbarzadeh, D., & Haji Ali Asgari, F. (2024). Effectiveness of the Green Heart Smartphone Application as a Self-Management Intervention for Hypertension and Dyslipidemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Archives of Iranian medicine, 27(6), 313–322. https://doi.org/10.34172/aim.28501
Gupta, A., Ellis, S. D., Burkhardt, C., Young, K., Mazzotti, D. R., Mahnken, J., Abu-El-Rub, N., Chandaka, S., Comfort, B., Shanks, D., Woodward, J., Unrein, A., Anderson, H., Loucks, J., Song, X., Waitman, L. R., & Burns, J. M. (2023). Implementing a home-based virtual hypertension programme-a pilot feasibility study. Family practice, 40(2), 414–422. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmac084
Hermansson-Borrebaeck, R., Fors, A., Bengtsson, U., Kjellgren, K., Calling, S., & Midlöv, P. (2025). Self-Efficacy in Hypertension Management Using e-Health Technology: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Primary Care. Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), 27(1), e14981. https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.14981
Hoppe, K. K., Thomas, N., Zernick, M., Zella, J. B., Havighurst, T., Kim, K., Williams, M., Niu, B., Lohr, A., & Johnson, H. M. (2020). Telehealth with remote blood pressure monitoring compared with standard care for postpartum hypertension. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 223(4), 585–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.027
Jiang, Y., Zheng, L., Zhang, Y., Fan, Z., Guo, J., Yang, J., Liu, P., Zhong, P., & Xie, D. (2025). Effectiveness of the intelligent hypertension excellence centers (iHEC) therapy model in the blood pressure management of older hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial. Hypertension research : official journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension, 48(1), 15–25. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-024-01951-w
Liu, F., Song, T., Yu, P., Deng, N., Guan, Y., Yang, Y., & Ma, Y. (2023). Efficacy of an mHealth App to Support Patients' Self-Management of Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of medical Internet research, 25, e43809. https://doi.org/10.2196/43809
Margolis, K. L., Bergdall, A. R., Crain, A. L., JaKa, M. M., Anderson, J. P., Solberg, L. I., Sperl-Hillen, J., Beran, M., Green, B. B., Haugen, P., Norton, C. K., Kodet, A. J., Sharma, R., Appana, D., Trower, N. K., Pawloski, P. A., Rehrauer, D. J., Simmons, M. L., McKinney, Z. J., Kottke, T. E., … O'Connor, P. J. (2022). Comparing Pharmacist-Led Telehealth Care and Clinic-Based Care for Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure: The Hyperlink 3 Pragmatic Cluster-Randomized Trial. Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979), 79(12), 2708–2720. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19816
McManus, R. J., Little, P., Stuart, B., Morton, K., Raftery, J., Kelly, J., Bradbury, K., Zhang, J., Zhu, S., Murray, E., May, C. R., Mair, F. S., Michie, S., Smith, P., Band, R., Ogburn, E., Allen, J., Rice, C., Nuttall, J., Williams, B., … HOME BP investigators (2021). Home and Online Management and Evaluation of Blood Pressure (HOME BP) using a digital intervention in poorly controlled hypertension: randomised controlled trial. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 372, m4858. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4858
Mehta, S. J., Volpp, K. G., Troxel, A. B., Teel, J., Reitz, C. R., Purcell, A., Shen, H., McNelis, K., Snider, C. K., & Asch, D. A. (2024). Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring With Social Support for Patients With Hypertension: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open, 7(6), e2413515. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.13515
Meng, W. W., Bai, Y. Y., Yan, L., Zheng, W., Zeng, Q., Zheng, Y. S., Zha, L., Pi, H. Y., & Sai, X. Y. (2023). Effect of Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Plus Additional Support on Blood Pressure Control: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Biomedical and environmental sciences : BES, 36(6), 517–526. https://doi.org/10.3967/bes2023.063
Minuz, P., Albini, F. L., Imbalzano, E., Izzo, R., Masi, S., Pengo, M. F., ... & Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension (SIIA). (2023). Telemedicine and digital medicine in the clinical management of hypertension and hypertension-related cardiovascular diseases: a position paper of the Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension (SIIA). High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention, 30(5), 387-399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-023-00595-0
Naqvi, I. A., Strobino, K., Kuen Cheung, Y., Li, H., Schmitt, K., Ferrara, S., Tom, S. E., Arcia, A., Williams, O. A., Kronish, I. M., & Elkind, M. S. V. (2022). Telehealth After Stroke Care Pilot Randomized Trial of Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring in an Underserved Setting. Stroke, 53(12), 3538–3547. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.041020
Ogedegbe, G., Teresi, J. A., Williams, S. K., Ogunlade, A., Izeogu, C., Eimicke, J. P., Kong, J., Silver, S. A., Williams, O., Valsamis, H., Law, S., Levine, S. R., Waddy, S. P., & Spruill, T. M. (2024). Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring and Nurse Case Management in Black and Hispanic Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 332(1), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.6609
Oh, S. W., Kim, K. K., Kim, S. S., Park, S. K., & Park, S. (2022). Effect of an Integrative Mobile Health Intervention in Patients With Hypertension and Diabetes: Crossover Study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(1), e27192. https://doi.org/10.2196/27192
Omboni, S., Ballatore, T., Rizzi, F., Tomassini, F., Panzeri, E., & Campolo, L. (2021). Telehealth at scale can improve chronic disease management in the community during a pandemic: An experience at the time of COVID-19. PloS one, 16(9), e0258015. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258015
Payne Riches, S., Piernas, C., Aveyard, P., Sheppard, J. P., Rayner, M., Albury, C., & Jebb, S. A. (2021). A Mobile Health Salt Reduction Intervention for People With Hypertension: Results of a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 9(10), e26233. https://doi.org/10.2196/26233
Sakane, N., Suganuma, A., Domichi, M., Sukino, S., Abe, K., Fujisaki, A., Kanazawa, A., & Sugimoto, M. (2023). The Effect of a mHealth App (KENPO-app) for Specific Health Guidance on Weight Changes in Adults With Obesity and Hypertension: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 11, e43236. https://doi.org/10.2196/43236
Schoenthaler, A., Leon, M., Butler, M., Steinhaeuser, K., & Wardzinski, W. (2020). Development and Evaluation of a Tailored Mobile Health Intervention to Improve Medication Adherence in Black Patients With Uncontrolled Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes: Pilot Randomized Feasibility Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8(9), e17135. https://doi.org/10.2196/17135
Teo, S. H., Chew, E. A. L., Ng, D. W. L., Tang, W. E., Koh, G. C. H., & Teo, V. H. Y. (2023). Implementation and use of technology-enabled blood pressure monitoring and teleconsultation in Singapore's primary care: a qualitative evaluation using the socio-technical systems approach. BMC primary care, 24(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-02014-8
Treskes, R. W., van Winden, L. A. M., van Keulen, N., van der Velde, E. T., Beeres, S. L. M. A., Atsma, D. E., & Schalij, M. J. (2020). Effect of Smartphone-Enabled Health Monitoring Devices vs Regular Follow-up on Blood Pressure Control Among Patients After Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open, 3(4), e202165. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2165
Wang, S., Leung, M., Leung, S. Y., Han, J., Leung, W., Hui, E., Mihailidou, A. S., Kam-Fai Tsoi, K., Chi-Sang Wong, M., Wong, S. Y., & Lee, E. K. (2023). Safety, Feasibility, and Acceptability of Telemedicine for Hypertension in Primary Care: A Proof-of-concept and Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (SATE-HT). Journal of medical systems, 47(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-023-01933-4
Wong, A. K. C., Wong, F. K. Y., Chow, K. K. S., Wong, S. M., Bayuo, J., & Ho, A. K. Y. (2022). Effect of a Mobile Health Application With Nurse Support on Quality of Life Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Hong Kong: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open, 5(11), e2241137. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.41137
Yatabe, J., Yatabe, M. S., Okada, R., & Ichihara, A. (2021). Efficacy of telemedicine in hypertension care through home blood pressure monitoring and videoconferencing: randomized controlled trial. JMIR cardio, 5(2), e27347. https://doi.org/10.2196/27347
Zhou, H., Wang, X., Yang, Y., Chen, Z., Zhang, L., Zheng, C., Shao, L., Tian, Y., Cao, X., Hu, Z., Tian, Y., Chen, L., Cai, J., Gu, R., & Wang, Z. (2022). Effect of a Multicomponent Intervention Delivered on a Web-Based Platform on Hypertension Control: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open, 5(12), e2245439. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.45439
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Annisa Kamalia