The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a trend in medicine and managed care that had been developing for years: telehealth. While there is often no substitute for in-person physical exams, trained patients have found success—and convenience—in monitoring certain aspects of their health with digital health products.

Remote Patient Monitoring for Stroke Recovery: How it Works

Remote care management encompasses many more activities than simply taking your temperature with an oral thermometer or monitoring blood sugar levels (though those are important measurements). Patients who have recently had strokes may have opportunities to use relatively advanced devices to aid their recoveries at home. We’ll review some of these important devices below, highlighting certain benefits of remote patient monitoring (RPM).

Who is at Increased Risk of Stroke?

Before diving into wearable health monitoring devices for stroke recovery, it’s important to understand who is at an increased risk of a stroke. Older individuals, especially those 55 or older, are more at risk than younger people. The risk also increases among those who do not get regular exercise, smoke, drink alcohol excessively, or use illicit drugs. Additionally, someone who has already had a stroke is more susceptible to future strokes.

Some medical conditions can also increase the risk of stroke, including:

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hypertension
  • Sickle cell anemia

How Can Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Help?

Remote patient monitoring after a stroke can benefit both providers and patients for many reasons. These devices are not meant to replace in-person doctor visits but can help providers gain data more efficiently for patients who find it challenging to travel, as mobility difficulties are common among stroke patients.

Blood Pressure Cuff

While it’s important to regularly monitor blood pressure to check for hypertension, post-stroke readings are often just as crucial. Many first-line treatments for an ischemic stroke may temporarily raise blood pressure. After this initial treatment, patients need close monitoring to ensure their readings return to normal (120/80).

Cuffs that send readings directly to providers through patient dashboards can help doctors monitor patients’ levels. Lowering blood pressure after permissive hypertension can reduce the risk of another stroke.

Accelerometry

An accelerometer can monitor activity levels, which are important markers for post-stroke patients. Strokes can limit the range of motion in many patients’ limbs, often improvable through deliberate physical therapy. An accelerometer that sends automatic updates to doctors can aid in monitoring physical activity during stroke recovery.

Pulse Oximeter

Optimizing heart performance is vital for preventing strokes and helping stroke patients return to healthy lifestyles. A pulse oximeter is important for patient monitoring as it sends heart-rate data directly to doctors, eliminating the need for office visits for this measurement.

Optimize RPM for Stroke Recovery with CoachCare

Patient monitoring at home, in the right context, can streamline certain operations, maximize the efficacy of patients’ in-person appointments, and create new revenue streams for your office.

CoachCare offers a suite of state-of-the-art medical devices that quickly and conveniently send vital patient data to providers. Our team can also help establish and optimize existing remote patient monitoring software so your office can be as efficient as modern technology allows. Find out how we can help elevate your medical practice today.