What I Wish My Dad Had During His Health Scare: A Reflection for Blood Pressure Education Month

May is Blood Pressure Education Month, and every year, it brings back vivid memories of one of the most difficult periods in my family’s life. Between 2009 and 2012, my dad was hospitalized three times, each incident landing him in the ICU. His symptoms? Headaches, overwhelming anxiety, and ultimately, seizures linked to uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Looking Back: What Could’ve Made a Difference?

Now, working in healthcare technology at Rimidi, I can’t help but think that Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) would have improved his care.

In 2011, my dad started taking his blood pressure at home. That sounds proactive, right? But the data he collected wasn’t connected to his doctor. Without that feedback loop, he didn’t feel accountable or motivated to keep up with it consistently.

It was more like doing homework the night before class — a few readings here and there before a doctor’s appointment so he had something to show. Like flossing just the week before the dentist. Not exactly proactive health management.

A Recipe for High Blood Pressure 

At the time, my dad was working on a high-stakes, high-visibility project at a large national bank. His daily routine involved juggling deadlines, fielding complaints, and managing a team under constant scrutiny. He was also eating poorly, getting very little exercise, and suffering from years of sleep deprivation due to anxiety.

Eventually, the unmanaged stress and high blood pressure caught up to him, manifesting in neurological symptoms and, finally, seizures that sent him to the ICU.

It was a wake-up call — one that changed everything.

A Turning Point for Hypertension Management

After that final hospitalization, my dad made a 180-degree shift. He moved to a different department at work, where the pace was slower and the stress more manageable. He cleaned up his diet, started walking every day, and began taking medication to manage his blood pressure.

And today? He’s doing so much better — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Why Remote Patient Monitoring Could Have Helped

If Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) had been widely available and integrated into his care back then, things might have played out very differently. Here's how RPM could have made an impact:

• Near Real-time data: His blood pressure readings could’ve been sent directly to his care team, rather than relying on him to relay the data to his doctor.
  
• Early intervention: Doctors might have caught the warning signs before his symptoms escalated and he was hospitalized.
  
• Better accountability: Knowing his readings were being monitored might’ve encouraged him to be more consistent.
  
• Personalized care: Providers could have adjusted his treatment plan sooner based on actual trends, not last-minute snapshots.
  

Blood Pressure Is a Silent Threat

High blood pressure often doesn’t come with loud, obvious symptoms. It builds quietly, and by the time it causes noticeable issues, it can be dangerously advanced.

That’s why early detection and daily management are so crucial — and that’s where RPM shines.

My Message for Blood Pressure Education Month

So this Blood Pressure Education Month, I’m thinking about my dad — and about the thousands of people who are where he was a decade ago. I hope more people learn about tools like Remote Patient Monitoring and how they can empower patients to take control of their health before things spiral.

If you or a loved one are living with hypertension, talk to your doctor about whether RPM is an option. It could make all the difference.

Let’s stop waiting until it’s an emergency. Let’s stay ahead of it — together.