Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a patient, comprising the following steps: 1) outfitting the patient with a ambulatory blood pressure monitor that features an optical system for measuring blood pressure without using a cuff, and a wireless system configured to send and receive information sent from an Internet-based system through a wireless network; 2) sending from the Internet-based system to the ambulatory blood pressure monitor a signal that indicates a blood pressure level; 3) comparing a blood pressure value measured with the ambulatory blood pressure monitor to the blood pressure level; and 4) generating a signal in response to the comparing step.