A NDRES RUBIANO FIRST GOT THE NEWS THAT HIS BLOOD PRESSURE WAS too high in the 1990s, when he was in his late 30s. It didn't come as a complete surprise-his father had had chronic hypertension at an early age too. His doctor prescribed medication and encouraged him to get more exercise and cut down on the amount of salt in his diet. Rubiano, though, wasn't very diligent about following this regimen. Each time he returned for a checkup, doctors gave him the same advice and Rubiano disregarded it. Four years ago, something caused Rubiano to turn himself around. His doctor convinced him to enroll in a pilot project in digital health care. Once a day, Rubiano slipped on an automatic cuff that wirelessly sent blood pressure readings to his smartphone, which in turn relayed the data to a team of clinicians at Ochsner Health System, an academic medical center based in New Orleans. His Apple Watch relayed heart-rate and physical-activity readings. Soon, Rubiano was getting text messages reminding him to take his pills and emails suggesting ways to cut down on salt and boost physical activity. Each month, his doctor's office called to discuss his readings, tweak his medication dosage and examine new diet and exercise strategies.
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