Comprehensive Cardiovascular Risk Factor Control With a Mobile Health Cardiovascular Risk Self‐Management Program

Abstract

Background Mobile health technology's impact on cardiovascular risk factor control is not fully understood. This study evaluates the association between interaction with a mobile health application and change in cardiovascular risk factors. Methods and Results Participants with hypertension with or without dyslipidemia enrolled in a workplace‐deployed mobile health application‐based cardiovascular risk self‐management program between January 2018 and December 2022. Retrospective evaluation explored the influence of application engagement on change in blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and weight. Multiple regression analyses examined the influence of guideline‐based, nonpharmacological lifestyle‐based digital coaching on outcomes adjusting for confounders. Of 102 475 participants, 49.1% were women. Median age was 53 (interquartile range, 43–61) years, BP was 134 (interquartile range, 124–144)/84 (interquartile range, 78–91) mm Hg, TC was 183 (interquartile range, 155–212) mg/dL, LDL‐C was 106 (82–131) mg/dL, and body mass index was 30 (26–35) kg/m 2 . At 2 years, participants with baseline systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg reduced systolic BP by 18.6 (SEM, 0.3) mm Hg. At follow up, participants with baseline TC ≥240 mg/dL reduced TC by 65.7 (SEM, 4.6) mg/dL, participants with baseline LDL‐C≥160 mg/dL reduced LDL‐C by 66.6 (SEM, 6.2) mg/dL, and participants with baseline body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 lost 12.0 (SEM, 0.3) pounds, or 5.1% of body weight. Interaction with digital coaching was associated with greater reduction in all outcomes. Conclusions A mobile health application‐based cardiovascular risk self‐management program was associated with favorable reductions in BP, TC, LDL‐C, and weight, highlighting the potential use of this technology in comprehensive cardiovascular risk factor control.