AI-Powered Voice Agent Improves Blood Pressure Management & Patient Engagement
A recent study suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) could considerably improve blood pressure management and expand access to care. Researchers found that an AI-powered voice agent successfully engaged patients in home blood pressure monitoring, leading to more accurate readings, improved control, and high patient satisfaction.The 10-week study, involving 2,000 adults – primarily over the age of 65 – utilized a voice agent designed to mimic a healthcare professional. The agent proactively contacted patients, requesting recent blood pressure readings or guiding them through a live measurement during the call.The system is designed to support the American Heart Association’s recommendation for home monitoring for all adults wiht high blood pressure, as outlined in their recently released 2025 guidelines.
A key feature of the AI agent was its ability to automatically escalate calls to a nurse or medical assistant when readings exceeded pre-defined thresholds, or if patients reported concerning symptoms like dizziness or chest pain. this automated triage proved remarkably efficient, reducing the cost per reading by 88.7% compared to traditional methods relying on human nurses.
The AI agent achieved an impressive reach, successfully contacting 85% of patients. Of those contacted, 67% completed the call, and 60% provided a compliant blood pressure reading while on the phone. This increased engagement translated into improved blood pressure control and helped bridge gaps in care.
Perhaps surprisingly, patients overwhelmingly reported positive experiences with the AI interaction, averaging a score of over 9 out of 10 in satisfaction surveys. Dr.Tina-Ann Kerr Thompson,lead author and senior vice president at Emory Healthcare,expressed excitement about thes results,highlighting the critical role of patient engagement and satisfaction in achieving positive health outcomes.
“we were surprised by the high patient satisfaction scores after interacting with artificial intelligence-based voice agents,” Dr.Thompson stated.
Experts are hailing the findings as potentially transformative. Dr. Eugene Yang,a clinical professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine,described the results as “game-changing,” emphasizing the potential of new technologies to overcome barriers to healthcare access.
“Accurate blood pressure readings are essential to improving control, and new approaches can help make that possible,” Dr. Yang noted.
While the study demonstrated notable benefits, researchers acknowledge a limitation: a direct comparison to human-only calls wasn’t feasible due to logistical constraints.It’s also vital to note that the findings were presented at a medical meeting and are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Despite these limitations,the study offers compelling evidence that AI-powered voice agents can play a vital role in improving blood pressure management,reducing healthcare costs,and enhancing patient engagement – ultimately leading to better cardiovascular health outcomes.
