The connected health of cardiovascular medicine: Current status and future directions

Abstract

The technologies of cardiovascular connected health stand to dramatically alter the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease, a worldwide leading cause of death. The American Heart Association has outlined seven key health metrics including physical activity, adequate blood pressure control, weight and a healthy diet, which lie at the core of cardiovascular disease management. Controlling these metrics has been demonstrated to result in substantial reductions in cardiovascular mortality. These metrics are ideally suited to a connected health management strategy involving enhanced patient empowerment and augmented physician engagement. As more patients and healthcare providers adopt technologies that allow for self-monitoring and point-of-care diagnostics, the physician has access to a greater depth of data concerning their patient's health and how best to influence it. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Physicians. All rights reserved.