Partners' Center for Connected Health and EMC Corporation Launch New Web-Based Remote Monitoring Program to Help Employees Fight Hy...( BOSTON Feb. 26 -- The Center for...),Health

BOSTON, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, one of the nation's leading integrated health care delivery systems, and EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) today announced a collaboration to study how EMC's employees diagnosed with hypertension can better manage their health through proactive monitoring and education. EMC is the first company to participate in SmartBeat, designed by the Center for Connected Health, which uses a wireless blood pressure cuff and communicator, and an Internet-based feedback system, to aid employees volunteering for the study to self-manage their high blood pressure.

"Employers are increasingly looking for innovative, consumer-centric approaches to create and maintain a healthy workforce and manage health care costs," said Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, Director, Center for Connected Health. "Our partnership with EMC is evaluating how simple technologies can help employees manage a chronic condition, such as high blood pressure, and may demonstrate how a web-based remote monitoring program can empower patients to improve their own health."

Hypertension is a preventable cause of stroke and other cardiac complications. However, according to the American Heart Association, 65 million Americans have high blood pressure. Of those diagnosed with hypertension, the World Health Organization estimates that almost 70% do not have adequate blood pressure control, contributing to an estimated $40 billion in direct healthcare costs and more than 17 million physician office visits annually.

"We are pleased to team with Partners HealthCare to offer the SmartBeat program to our U.S.-based employee population," said Delia Vetter, Senior Director
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