Past studies have found that home monitoring may aid blood
pressure control, with a 2010 review of 37 clinical trials
finding that, overall, people who used monitors shaved a few
extra points from their blood pressure. They were also more
likely to cut down on medication. "Overall, home monitoring did
not improve blood pressure control in patients with hypertension
and a history of stroke," wrote lead researcher Sally Kerry, a
researcher at Queen Mary, University of London. The exception,
though, was patients whose blood pressure was poorly controlled
at the study's start, meaning it was above the standard high
blood pressure cutoff of 140/90 mm Hg. In that case, patients
given a home monitor cut an average of 11 points from their
systolic blood pressure - the top number in the reading. That
compared with just under five points among patients who were not
given the devices. Kerry's team randomly assigned the patients
to either stick with standard care only or get a home monitor,
along with instructions on how