Business, cardiology, patient monitoring, general care  

Home blood-pressure monitor market to reach $1bn by 2010

30 January 2007

Wellingborough, UK. The world market for home-use digital blood pressure monitors is worth almost $800 million, according to a new report from InMedica. The gradual ageing of the world population combined with the increasing prevalence of hypertension will provide an increasing potential market. The predicted rise of telehealth will add even greater value to the market, which is forecast to grow at 6.7% per year, taking it to over $1 billion by 2010.

The most popular type of monitor was found to be automatic upper-arm blood-pressure monitors, representing just over half of the market. The ease of use and consistent results gained from automatic upper-arm monitors have strengthened their position as the physicians’ favourite, particularly in the US where it is common for physicians to recommend patients use a blood-pressure monitor at home after they have been diagnosed with hypertension. With a well maintained blood-pressure monitoring plan, a sufferer can see the results of any lifestyle changes they may implement, or the effect of any prescribed medication, helping them to understand their condition and keep it under control.

Telehealth is an emerging technology trend that will accelerate the uptake of home-use blood-pressure monitors. Telehealth promises to allow patients to transmit detailed information about blood-pressure, glucose levels, weight, temperature or respiration to their health professional and receive real-time feedback on their condition.

Steven Burton, analyst at InMedica and author of the report, “The World Market for Home-Use Digital Blood-Pressure Monitors 2006,” gives an example of telehealth in practice, “A blood-pressure monitor can communicate with a cell phone via a Bluetooth wireless link, thus allowing acquisition and transmission of data, most likely using a web-based application. This would enable doctors to monitor the effects of medication on their patients without them having to visit the health centre and, if necessary, remotely issue new prescriptions. This type of solution will help ease the burden currently facing overstretched healthcare systems by reducing the need for patients to routinely visit the doctor.”

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