Artificial Intelligence Enhances Blood Pressure Reporting Accuracy in Older Adults at Home

Recent research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025 highlights the promising role of artificial intelligence (AI) voice assistants in improving blood pressure monitoring among older adults. The study focused on how AI-powered voice agents can facilitate accurate self-reporting of blood pressure measurements, a crucial factor in managing hypertension and preventing cardiovascular complications.

The study involved 2,000 adults, predominantly aged 65 and above, all receiving care for high blood pressure. Researchers leveraged AI voice agents that interacted with patients in multiple languages, including English and Spanish, to prompt them for blood pressure readings and assist in recording the data into electronic health records (EHR). These AI interactions aimed to bridge gaps in care caused by limited access to healthcare providers and ensure timely, precise blood pressure monitoring.

Lead researcher Dr. Tina-Ann Kerr Thompson explained, "Controlling blood pressure remains essential for reducing cardiovascular risks, but collecting accurate and timely readings is often challenging. Our study demonstrates that AI voice assistants can significantly improve measurement accuracy and patient engagement." The system also identified patients needing urgent follow-up based on their blood pressure levels, escalating calls to healthcare professionals when necessary.

The AI calls not only aimed to gather recent blood pressure data but also involved live measurements during interactions. The process allowed clinicians to review the information, improve clinical workflows, and reduce manual workload. The study revealed an impressive reduction in costs—an 88.7% decrease per blood pressure reading—by replacing some human-led calls with AI interactions.

During the study period, 85% of patients were successfully contacted, with 67% completing the call, and 60% providing compliant blood pressure readings. Among these, 68% achieved recommended blood pressure control standards. Patient satisfaction was notably high, with average scores above 9 out of 10, reflecting positive engagement with the AI system.

Experts like Eugene Yang from the University of Washington consider this a potential game-changer. He emphasized that advances in AI technology could revolutionize blood pressure management, especially in underserved populations, by making accurate monitoring more accessible and addressing barriers like limited provider contact.

However, the study’s limitations include its observational nature without a control group. AI calls were deployed because the required volume of human-only calls was not feasible, and the retrospective analysis reviewed existing data. Despite these constraints, findings suggest AI integration can enhance patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.

The research aligns with initiatives like Target:BP, promoting home blood pressure monitoring as recommended by current guidelines. The findings support the growing role of AI in healthcare, emphasizing its capacity to improve hypertension management and ultimately, cardiovascular health.

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