Application of Digital Health Technologies in Hypertension Self-Management: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Hypertension remains a major global public health challenge and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Effective long-term control of BP largely depends on sustained patient engagement, medication adherence, and lifestyle modification. However, traditional care models often face limitations in delivering continuous monitoring, personalized support, and long-term behavioral interventions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of digital health interventions—including mobile health (mHealth) applications, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools — in the management of hypertension. Current evidence from randomized controlled trials and observational studies suggests that these technologies can significantly improve medication adherence, enhance self-monitoring of BP, and promote healthier behaviors such as increased physical activity and dietary modification. In particular, mHealth applications incorporating reminders, feedback, and educational components have demonstrated measurable improvements in adherence and BP control. Wearable devices enable real-time physiological monitoring, while AI-based systems offer opportunities for personalized risk prediction and adaptive intervention strategies. Despite these promising findings, several challenges remain. The long-term effectiveness and sustainability of digital health interventions are still not well established, with many studies limited to short follow-up periods. In addition, issues related to interoperability between different digital platforms, data privacy and security concerns, and unequal access to technology may hinder widespread implementation. Variability in study design and intervention components also limits the comparability of findings across studies. Future research should focus on conducting large-scale, long-term trials to evaluate clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Efforts are also needed to improve system integration, enhance user engagement, and ensure equitable access to digital health technologies. Overall, digital health interventions represent a promising and scalable approach to improving hypertension self-management and supporting more efficient, patient-centered care.