Hello Heart for clinicians and providers

Hello Heart is the only digital therapeutic focused exclusively on heart health. Your patients may use the app to help them adopt behaviors known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Hello Heart’s connected blood pressure monitor and digital coaching app uses FDA-cleared technology, artificial intelligence (AI), behavioral science, and personalized coaching to drive lifestyle changes.
Peer reviewed
Clinical Outcomes

Published Clinical studies

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Study

Assessment of hypertension control among adults participating in a mobile technology blood pressure self-management program

  • Publication: JAMA Network Open, 2021
  • Participants: 28,189 Hello Heart app users
  • Duration: 3 years
Key Findings
- 84% of members with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 reduced blood pressure, sustained up to 3 years1
- 21 mmHg average reduction in systolic blood pressure over 3 years1 — a 2x greater improvement than other digital heart health solutions2
Conclusion
“The findings of this study suggest that a mobile technology hypertension self-management program can support long-term blood pressure (BP) control and very high BP detection. Such programs may improve real-world BP monitoring and control.”
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Read the study
Users chart
Elevated, stage 1, and stage 2 users all reduced their blood pressure, sustained up to 3 years.3,4,5
Study

Efficacy Of A Digital Hypertension Self-management And Lifestyle Coaching Program In Reducing Blood Pressure Across Sex, Language And Racial Groups

  • Publication: Hypertension, 2022 (abstract)
  • Participants: 15,361 Hello Heart app users
  • Duration: 6 months
Key Findings
- There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure reduction based on gender, age, race, or preferred language.
- There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure reduction based on gender, age, race, or preferred language.
Conclusion
“Results indicate that digital self-management tools have the potential to bridge health inequity gaps.”
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Read the study
Harvard UCLA
Study

Improving patient engagement in self-measured blood pressure monitoring using a mobile health technology

  • Publication: Health Information Science & Systems, 2017
  • Participants: 5,115 Hello Heart app users
  • Duration: 6 months
Key Findings
- 57% of members with baseline blood pressure ≥ 140/90 achieved blood pressure normalization at 4 weeks6
- 69% of members with baseline systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 achieved blood pressure normalization at 22 weeks6
Conclusion
“Significant decrease in BP with improved metrics over time. Higher engagement was associated with greater BP reduction and engagement was higher among those with greater clinical need of BP control.”
Read the Study
Read the study

Frequently Asked Questions

general
Which of my patients might be eligible for Hello Heart?
Hello Heart is offered as a benefit for a growing list of employer plan sponsors. Your patients may be eligible for Hello Heart through their employer benefits managers. To check their availability your patients can talk to their employer human resources specialist.
Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Why should patients take blood pressure readings at home?
According to a Joint Policy Statement From the American Heart Association and American Medical Association:
  • Blood pressure may differ considerably when measured in and outside of the office setting, and higher out-of-office blood pressure is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
  • Self-measured blood pressure monitoring (i.e., the measurement of blood pressure by an individual outside of the office at home) is a validated approach for out-of-office blood pressure measurement.
  • Several national and international hypertension guidelines endorse self-measured blood pressure monitoring.
  • Evidence from meta-analyses of randomized trials indicates that self-measured blood pressure monitoring is associated with a reduction in blood pressure and improved blood pressure control.
  • The addition of self-measured blood pressure monitoring to office blood pressure monitoring is cost-effective compared with office blood pressure monitoring alone or usual care among individuals with high office blood pressure.
  • The use of self-measured blood pressure monitoring is commonly reported by both individuals and providers.
What training does the app provide to patients on accurate measuring?
he Hello Heart app includes content on appropriate techniques for blood pressure monitoring that is consistent with guidance from Target: BP, a national initiative from the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association. For tips on taking blood pressure at home, users can visit Support Center.
Is the Hello Heart blood pressure monitor FDA cleared?
Yes. The Hello Heart blood pressure monitor is FDA cleared, meaning it was authorized by the FDA based on the submission of a 510(k) application. If users take their blood pressure according to the instructions for use, the device has a rate of accuracy within 2 points mmHg. The Hello Heart blood pressure monitor is also cleared to detect the appearance of irregular heartbeat.
Does the Hello Heart blood pressure monitor have any capabilities other than measuring blood pressure?
Yes. The Hello Heart monitor measures blood pressure and heart rate and detects the appearance of irregular heartbeat.
Does Hello Heart notify users of potential side effects of medications?
Yes. The app uses RxNorm to provide clear and informative overviews of medications, including potential side effects.
Cholesterol
What functionality exists for cholesterol/lipid management in the Hello Heart program?
The “My Cholesterol” feature within the Hello Heart app allows users to import cholesterol results from outside clinical records – or add results manually – and trend results over time. The app includes easy to understand explanations that help users understand their cholesterol levels (e.g., the difference between LDL and HDL). The app also provides coaching recommendations for choices users can make that may help them to improve their cholesterol levels, reminds users when it is time for a cholesterol test, and allows users to share test results with any healthcare provider.
Does Hello Heart automatically add users' cholesterol tests, or do they have to add them manually?
The “My Cholesterol” feature within the Hello Heart app allows users to import cholesterol results from outside clinical records – or add results manually – and trend results over time. The app includes easy to understand explanations that help users understand their cholesterol levels (e.g., the difference between LDL and HDL). The app also provides coaching recommendations for choices users can make that may help them to improve their cholesterol levels, reminds users when it is time for a cholesterol test, and allows users to share test results with any healthcare provider.
Medications
Can Hello Heart encourage users to take medications prescribed by their providers?
Yes. “My Meds” is a breakthrough feature within the Hello Heart app that helps people understand how their medication may be influencing their heart health, while making it fun and easy to build the habit of taking their medications. The app provides medication tracking with digital coaching tips and gamification that awards users for medication adherence. It also shows how their behavior related to medications correlates with certain indicators of their heart health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The goals of the feature include:
  • Helping users to build a habit of taking their medications on time
  • Making it fun and rewarding to track medications
  • Helping users understand the potential impact of medications that they are taking in real-time
Does Hello Heart serve as a manual journal for tracking medications adherence and compliance?
Yes. The app includes medication reminders, as well as a virtual pillbox for users to track their medications.
Does Hello Heart remind users to take medications when their blood pressure is elevated?
Yes. If a user has a severely elevated blood pressure and reports that they forgot to take their medications, the app reminds the user to take their medication.
Does the Hello Heart app automatically add users' medications?
Users can import medical data from outside clinical records with one-click prescription importing. They also have the option of adding prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements manually.
Does Hello Heart notify users of potential medication interactions? What is the source of this data?
Yes. The app uses RxNorm to flag drug-drug interactions and alert users of the possibility of such interactions. The app will also prompt users to talk to their doctor about potential risks.
Clinical validation
Is there any clinical validation of the Hello Heart program?
Several studies published in peer-reviewed journals have observed clinical improvements in patients using Hello Heart users. See peer-reviewed clinical studies.
How does Hello Heart ensure that the app’s lifestyle coaching is clinically valid?
Explanations and wellness tips are based on best practices from well established clinical and scientific sources, including the Mayo Clinic, American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.
Technology
Does Hello Heart use Artificial Intelligence as part of its program?
The Hello Heart app uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to offer a unique experience based on gender, comorbidities, age, geography, and other factors. This includes personalized digital coaching via insights that help users connect the dots between their own behavioral choices and the potential impact on their heart health. The app also gets smarter based on user feedback.
Clinical Path
What guidance and coaching is provided to Hello Heart users?
The Hello Heart app provides users with personalized digital coaching based on unique patient characteristics and preferences, as well as insights that help users connect the dots between their behavioral choices and the potential impact on their heart health. Explanations and wellness tips are based on best practices from well established clinical and scientific sources, including the Mayo Clinic, American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. All information and tips are also reviewed by our clinicians.
Do you have a clinical team that provides coaching in real time to patients?
No. Hello Heart is a digital therapeutic focused exclusively on heart health. Coaching is fully digital, with bite-sized coaching tips that help users make small changes that are sustainable and can add up over time. All information and tips are based on peer-reviewed, published recommendations and/or clinical guidelines and are reviewed by our clinicians; however, clinicians do not provide coaching directly to patients.
When does Hello Heart refer users to seek care?
Any guidance provided to users is developed and reviewed by our clinicians, and based on published research, societal guidelines or generally agreed-upon clinical practices. There are various points that the app will direct the user to their healthcare provider. For example if the user has an elevated blood pressure reading, the app might suggest that the user share their Heart Health report with a healthcare provider. In some cases, the app might recommend the user to call 911, for example if the user has an extremely high blood pressure reading along with dangerous symptoms that are generally known to be associated with a hypertensive emergency.
What information can be shared from the app with providers?
Users can generate and share their Heart Health Report with any healthcare provider. The reports include all recorded blood pressure and heart rate values, as well as additional insights.
Does using the Hello Heart program increase the number of PCP visits over time?
Yes. An analysis of 2017-2020 employer claims data commissioned by Hello Heart showed a 52% increase in primary care for Hello Heart users.
Can I bill for the data collected by the Hello Heart program?
Heart Health Reports are primarily meant as a way for patients to efficiently share and summarize self-measured blood pressure and other data with their healthcare providers. Clinicians may be able to bill for analyzing physiologic data and developing treatment management services.
Data, privacy and sharing
Does the app collect data on the patient without their permission? What type of data is collected by the app?
No. Hello Heart users have control over the data collected by the app, and Hello Heart collects data consistent with our Notice of Privacy Practices.  The app collects data on:
  • Blood pressure, heart rate, and irregular heartbeat detection from the FDA-cleared blood pressure monitor
  • Cholesterol and other medical data via manual input or data import
  • Medications, including medication tracking
  • Weight and activity
What type of medical information is available in the Hello Heart program? What are the sources of data?
The app collects data on blood pressure, heart rate, and irregular heartbeat detection from the FDA-cleared blood pressure monitor. The app collects cholesterol and other medical data via manual input or data import. Other personal information in the app includes a medications listing and tracking as well as weight and activity records. The data originates from the various connected devices and from external medical records sources, based on users’ consent.
When and how is the medical data shared?
Hello Heart users have control over when and how their data is shared in the app.  Hello Heart shares data consistent with our Notice of Privacy Practices. If a user elects to share their data, users can email or fax reports to their doctor(s), other care team members, loved ones, etc, directly from the app.
What type of integrations does the Hello Heart app have?
The Hello Heart app is integrated with an FDA cleared blood pressure monitor, and with Apple Health and Google Fit for importing health data and activity from users’ phones (all based on users’ consent). Other fitness devices are integrated via the Operating System (OS) native app (Android/Apple) or via a dedicated third party app. The app also integrates with external medical records for importing a user’s medical data.
support
Where should I direct my patient who needs support?
Users can access support from within the Hello Heart app by clicking on the “?” icon on the upper right corner of the screen. They can also email support@helloheart.com or visit our User Support Center. 
Where should I direct my patient who is having issues enrolling?
Users can access support from within the Hello Heart app by clicking on the “?” icon on the upper right corner of the screen. They can also access support related to enrolling here.
Where should I direct my patient who is having issues downloading the app?
Users can access support from within the Hello Heart app by clicking on the “?” icon on the upper right corner of the screen. They can also access support related to downloading the app here.
Where should I direct my patient who needs to reset a password?
Users can access support from within the Hello Heart app by clicking on the “?” icon on the upper right corner of the screen. They can also access support related to resetting their password here.
Where should I direct my patient for tips on taking blood pressure at home?
For tips on taking blood pressure at home, users can visit this site.
How do I know if my patient got a defective device?
The Hello Heart blood pressure monitor is FDA cleared, meaning it was authorized by the FDA based on the submission of a 510(k) application. Hello Heart receives <1% complaints about device accuracy. In most cases, the issues are related to either the wrong cuff size or user error (e.g., wrong cuff position). We take device quality very seriously, and if there remains a concern for inaccurate readings, we ask users to send the monitor back to us, we replace the device, and we test the returned device.
What steps should my patient follow to ensure that the device is not defective?
The Hello Heart blood pressure monitor is FDA cleared, but there are a few things that can cause the readings on the monitor to be different than those at the doctor’s office. If users are taking blood pressure while following these instructions and still see readings that are higher/lower than expected, these are possible causes:
  • The cuff is the wrong size (too small or too large for the user’s upper arm). If this is the case, please let us know at support@helloheart.com.
  • The cuff is secured too tightly or too loosely. Users should be able to put 2-3 fingers between the cuff and their arm, but it should not slide down the arm.
  • The cuff is being used over clothing. Placing the cuff on bare skin is highly recommended, as taking the reading over clothing can affect the results.
  • The wrong position is being used while taking the blood pressure reading. Users should be sitting still in a chair with both feet firmly on the floor and uncrossed. Their arm should be relaxed on a table at heart level with their palm facing up.
  • The user is moving, talking, or holding his/her breath during the reading.
  • The monitor is low on batteries. Some monitors may be less accurate when the battery is low. Replace the batteries if necessary.
  • Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, exercise, or waking from sleep within 30 minutes of the reading may skew the results.
Other possibilities for different values at home as compared to the office include white coat hypertension (in the case of lower values at home) or masked hypertension (in the case of higher values at home). While rare, it is possible that the user may have received a faulty monitor.
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Contact Member Support

1-(800)-767-3471
© Hello Heart, 2022
Hello Heart is not a substitute for medical care. See your doctor to ensure that you are diagnosed and treated properly.
Footnotes
  1. Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed May 23, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. There were 108 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163. See additional important study limitations in the publication.)
  2. Sources: (1) Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed May 23, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. See additional important study limitations in the publication. This study showed that 108 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163 were able to reduce their blood pressure by 21 mmHg using the Hello Heart program.) (2) Livongo Health, Inc. Form S-1 Registration Statement. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639225/000119312519185159/d731249ds1.htm. Published June 28, 2019. Accessed May 23, 2022. (In a pilot study that lasted six weeks, individuals starting with a blood pressure of greater than 140/90 mmHg, on average, had a 10 mmHG reduction.) NOTE: This comparison is not based on a head-to-head study, and the difference in results may be due in part to different study protocols.
  3. Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed May 23, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. There were 495 participants with baseline systolic blood pressure of 120-129 mmHg who had been enrolled in the program for 1 year and had application activity during weeks 48-55. There were 258 participants with baseline systolic blood pressure of 120-129 mmHg who had been enrolled in the program for 2 years and had application activity during weeks 96-111. There were 83 participants with baseline systolic blood pressure of 120-129 mmHg who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163. See additional important study limitations in the publication.)
  4. Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed May 23, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. There were 673 participants with baseline systolic blood pressure of 130-139 mmHg who had been enrolled in the program for 1 year and had application activity during weeks 48-55. There were 318 participants with baseline systolic blood pressure of 130-139 mmHg who had been enrolled in the program for 2 years and had application activity during weeks 96-111. There were 99 participants with baseline systolic blood pressure of 130-139 mmHg who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163. See additional important study limitations in the publication.)
  5. Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed May 23, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. There were 1,074 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 1 year and had application activity during weeks 48-55. There were 419 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 2 years and had application activity during weeks 96-111. There were 108 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163. See additional important study limitations in the publication.)
  6. Kaplan AL, Cohen ER, Zimlichman E. Improving patient engagement in self-measured blood pressure monitoring using a mobile health technology. Health Inf Sci Syst. 2017; 5 (4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13755-017-0026-9. Accessed May 23, 2022 (Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. There were 783 participants with baseline systolic blood pressure ≥ 140. See additional important study limitations in the publication.)
  7. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension. CDC Web site. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/docs/SG-CTA-HTN-Control-Report-508.pdf. Published 2020. Accessed May 23, 2022.
  8. Ettehad D, Emdin CA, Kiran A, Anderson SG, Callender T, Emberson J, et al. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2016;387(10022):957-967. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01225-8. Accessed May 23, 2022.
  9. Validation Institute. 2021 Validation Report (Valid Through October 2022). https://validationinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hello_Heart-Savings-2021-Final.pdf. Published October 2021. Accessed May 23, 2022. (This analysis was commissioned by Hello Heart, which provided a summary report of self-funded employer client medical claims data for 203 Hello Heart users and 200 non-users from 2017-2020. Findings have not been subjected to peer review.)
  10. Depends on employer size. Based on data on file at Hello Heart. Results may differ from employer to employer.
  11. While the data featured here reflects a real user, the person shown in the photograph is a model and is not an actual user of, nor affiliated with, Hello Heart.