'Hypertension care of the future' coming to AdventHealth

AdventHealth is launching a new way to manage hypertension for tens of thousands of patients across its vast care network with high blood pressure – an effort that may be one of the largest-scale care innovations of its kind.

Set to roll out beginning in summer 2025, the new care model is designed based on the latest research into hypertension care. By treating high blood pressure earlier and more consistently, it aims to prevent stroke and heart disease, two of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

Developed by AdventHealth Clinical, the program combines at-home blood pressure monitoring tech with virtual visits. More than 370 sites—including emergency departments, urgent care centers and primary care practices—will take part.

“We’ve designed a personalized support system for patients with high blood pressure that simply hasn’t existed at this scale,” said Jeffrey Kuhlman, MD, senior vice president and chief quality and safety officer for AdventHealth. “We’re pairing remote monitoring with virtual care to respond when patients need us most – not in an appointment weeks later.”

"It's a modern solution to an age-old problem – and a smarter way to care."

Rethinking the timeline of care

Traditionally, hypertension management would depend on monthly in-person visits to review recent self-reported blood pressure readings – often delaying treatment and missing opportunities for intervention. AdventHealth’s innovative approach uses an at-home blood pressure monitoring device that uploads readings directly into the patient’s electronic medical record each day. If results are out of range, the care team is alerted and a video visit is promptly scheduled.

“We can’t always wait months for uncontrolled hypertension,” Dr. Kuhlman said. “We need to act sooner.”

From research to reality

With funding support from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the program is rooted in evidence showing that telehealth and at-home monitoring lead to better outcomes than standard in-office visits for monitoring blood pressure.

It also aims to address a persistent challenge in health care: the average 17-year lag between research publication and implementation into clinical practice. AdventHealth aims to close that gap significantly.

“This is the hypertension care of the future,” Dr. Kuhlman said. “It brings together consumer-centric tech, AI and the AdventHealth app, paired with our expert clinical teams, to create a connected care experience that makes it easier for people to take control of their health and live their fullest life.”

Whole-person, preventive care

The new care model reflects AdventHealth’s focus on proactive, whole-person care – addressing the intersection of physical, mental and spiritual health.

“Too often, a health care visit focuses only on what brought the patient in,” Dr. Kuhlman said. “Care teams get a much fuller view of a patient’s whole health when there is an ongoing dialogue. Addressing real-life factors like a patient’s lifestyle, stress levels, mental well-being, spiritual and physical health leads to more effective, lasting hypertension management.”

This approach may also reduce long-term health care costs and extend lifespans by preventing devastating strokes, hospitalizations and serious complications that can require more intensive treatment.

Building a continuous connection

“Hypertension is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management,” said Dr. Kuhlman. “We need to strengthen the relationship between patients and their care teams in a way that’s modern, responsive, easy to use and personal. It’s a modern solution to an age-old problem – and a smarter way to care.”