A mobile app developed by faculty at The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences and the Center for Advanced Public Safety is helping individuals manage their blood pressure while also providing valuable resources that promote a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Louanne Friend, associate professor and director of residency research with CCHS, was the principal investigator for a grant provided by the Alabama Department of Public Health in 2018 to identify patients with undiagnosed hypertension.
“One key aspect of our intervention included in-person lifestyle education classes for patients to help them manage their blood pressure,” Friend said. “Many patients were unable to attend classes, so the idea for a mobile app was developed to provide education via smartphone.”
In 2019, Friend, Dr. Gregg Bell, assistant professor and senior data analyst for the CCHS Department of Community Medicine and Population Health, and Suzanne Henson, registered dietician with University Medical Center, received an additional five years of funding from ADPH to develop a hypertension/obesity lifestyle education app. The team collaborated with the Center for Advanced Public Safety to develop the HYPE app for UMC, which is operated by CCHS.
“We wanted an app that could not only provide evidence-based lifestyle education, but also provide a mechanism for users to record their medications, activity levels, blood pressures and other key metrics,” Friend said. “In addition, the app provides tools to help users identify realistic goals they can achieve to help manage their blood pressure. The app also provides key information about University Medical Center clinics and providers, including our hours of operation and services.”
Although the HYPE app is targeted to UMC patients, it is a great tool for anyone looking to track their blood pressure daily and take advantage of educational resources that promote an active lifestyle. The app also provides reminders when it’s time to take scheduled medications.
“I would recommend the app to anyone who has hypertension since blood pressure control is largely up to the patient,” Friend said. “We certainly have medications that are also key to blood pressure management, but lifestyle changes, including reduction in sodium intake, smoking cessation and increased physical activity, are essential to cardiovascular health.
“Having one place to record weight, heart rate and blood pressure is convenient for users who can then share the data with their primary care providers. The most important aspect of the app is that it allows patients to take charge of their health and to become active partners in their care.”