This May, providers can raise awareness for High Blood Pressure Education by using HIPAA compliant emails to promote heart-healthy habits and encourage regular monitoring and check-ups.
What is high blood pressure?
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) explains “High blood pressure develops when blood flows through the arteries at higher than normal pressures. Age, family history, race and ethnicity, stress, and unhealthy lifestyle choices can increase your risk of developing it.”
Increasing awareness
May is High Blood Pressure Education Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness about hypertension, its risks, and preventive measures. According to the NHLBI, “About 1 in 3 Americans have it, but don’t even know it. Yet when uncontrolled, this common condition, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease.”
The NHLBI also calls for action, encouraging “everyone to take action to prevent or control high blood pressure.” So, providers can use a HIPAA compliant emailing platform, like Paubox, to increase awareness of high blood pressure education, while protecting patient privacy.
How HIPAA compliant emails can help
Educational campaigns
HIPAA compliant emails can be used to launch educational campaigns about high blood pressure. These campaigns can include information about the risks, symptoms, and complications of hypertension, as well as preventive measures. For example:
"Did you know that about 1 in 3 Americans have high blood pressure, but many don't even know it? High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems like heart disease if left uncontrolled."
Promoting heart-healthy habits
Providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to send patients practical tips on maintaining healthy blood pressure.
These emails can include the NHLBI’s “The 7 Ways to Keep Your Blood Pressure Healthy:
- Being more physically active.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Following a heart-healthy diet such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan.
- Quitting smoking.
- Managing stress.
- Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep.
- Knowing and tracking your heart health numbers, like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.”
Personalized health tips
Providers can also share health tips based on a patient's medical history and health status. More specifically, HIPAA compliant platforms, like Paubox, allow providers to share personalized health tips while protecting patient privacy.
For example, a patient with a family history of high blood pressure could receive tips on managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet to help prevent hypertension.
Check-up reminders
HIPAA compliant emails can remind patients to schedule regular visits with their healthcare providers. For example, a provider can send a patient the following email:
"You can stay aware of your blood pressure by having it checked at each visit with your healthcare provider. A healthy blood pressure is typically less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your numbers are high, work with your provider to learn about ways you can lower it."
Providing self-measurement guidance
Providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to educate patients about self-measuring their blood pressure at home, allowing individuals to monitor their health more closely and take timely action if needed. The email could state:
"Keep track of your blood pressure measurements to help us manage your health more effectively."
Success stories and testimonials
Providers can also share patient success stories through HIPAA compliant emails to motivate patients to take control of their blood pressure. These can include examples of individuals who have successfully managed their hypertension and inspire others to follow suit.
Go deeper: Sharing patient success stories through HIPAA compliant emails
FAQs
Do patients need to consent to receive HIPAA compliant emails?
Yes, providers must first obtain patient consent or authorization before sending emails containing their protected health information (PHI).
Can providers use regular email services for HIPAA compliant emails?
No, regular email services like Gmail or Outlook do not offer the necessary security measures to be HIPAA compliant. However, HIPAA compliant emailing platforms, like Paubox, can easily be integrated into regular emails, ensuring secure communication.
Can providers email attachments containing PHI?
Yes, providers can secure email attachments by using a HIPAA compliant platform, like Paubox, which automatically encrypts attachments and protects PHI.
