Reimagining Arterial Hypertension and Dyslipidemia Care: Telemedicine’s Promise and Pitfalls from the Slovak Patient Viewpoint

TL;DR

This study explores how Slovak patients view telemedicine for managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, finding moderate interest but significant barriers to adoption.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into patient perspectives on telemedicine adoption for cardiovascular risk management in Slovakia.

Findings

Only 21.2% of hypertensive patients measured their blood pressure daily, with men more likely to do so than women.

Smart technology use for health monitoring was highest among the 31–45 age group.

Most patients (73.8%) did not know their LDL-C levels, and nearly half of those who did had elevated levels.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Numerous studies and meta-analyses have established the efficacy of telemonitoring for blood pressure and other components of metabolic syndrome in improving disease management. Nevertheless, the adoption of telemonitoring technologies is often hindered by personal, technological, and systemic barriers. In Slovakia, where patient–physician contact rates are high, there is limited research on patients’ perspectives regarding telemedicine adoption for cardiovascular risk management. The objective of this study was to examine patients’ perspectives on and perceived obstacles to the use of telemonitoring for arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia in Slovakia. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey targeted a cohort of 18,053 patients. The survey instrument was designed to gather data on several key areas: patient demographic characteristics, blood pressure measurement habits, the utilization of smart technologies, perceived benefits and barriers to telemonitoring, and patients’ knowledge of their lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk factors. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests, ANOVA, and effect size calculations with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 1787 patient responses (9.9%) were collected. Among the respondents, 67.4% (n = 1204) had arterial hypertension, while 7.9% (n = 95) were on non-pharmacological therapy. Only 21.2% (n = 255) of hypertensive patients measured their blood pressure daily, with a significantly higher proportion of men than women (28.6% vs. 12.7%, p = 0.011, Cohen’s d = 0.42). The most frequent users of blood pressure monitoring were in the 31–45 age group (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.08). A total of 19.4% (n = 347) of respondents used wearable devices, and 6.3% (n = 113) used blood pressure monitors connected to an application. Smart technology use was significantly more common in the 31–45 age group (p = 0.01, Cramer’s V = 0.15). Moderate interest in telemedicine was expressed by 69.8% (n = 1247) of respondents, though only 27.4% (n = 490) showed strong interest. The majority of patients (73.8%, n = 1319) did not know their LDL-C levels, and 45.7% (n = 817) of those who did had elevated levels. Conclusions: The findings suggest that while interest in telemedicine methods for the management of arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia exists among Slovak patients, it is more moderate than initially assumed. Importantly, expressed willingness to participate in a study should not be directly equated with readiness to adopt new technologies in daily practice. Successful integration of telemonitoring into the Slovak healthcare system will therefore require not only patient engagement but also active support from healthcare providers to overcome practical and motivational barriers. These findings highlight the need for targeted implementation strategies that address the specific barriers identified in the Central and Eastern European healthcare context.

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