OMRON launches home device measuring both blood pressure and ECG in Korea

OMRON Healthcare Korea said it has launched OMRON Complete, a home-use medical device that can simultaneously measure blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG).

The company held a press conference on Wednesday to commemorate the device’s launch.

The device allows users, particularly those at risk for cardiovascular diseases, to measure both their blood pressure and ECG at home, aiming to prevent complications such as stroke and heart failure. The company stressed that it expects that the device will contribute to the early detection and prevention of heart-related diseases, especially atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation on the rise

Doctor Rho Tai-ho, a cardiologist at Rho Tai-ho Heart Clinic, emphasized the growing prevalence of atrial fibrillation globally and within Korea.

“In Korea, the number of atrial fibrillation patients has more than doubled, rising from 430,000 in 2013 to 940,000 in 2022,” Roh said. “Atrial fibrillation cases will continue to increase, and early diagnosis is crucial.”

Roh stressed that atrial fibrillation is a leading cause of strokes, with patients facing a fivefold increase in stroke risk compared to the general population.

“When hypertension and atrial fibrillation coexist, the risk of stroke rises by 16 percent," Roh said. He also pointed out the difficulty in diagnosing atrial fibrillation, which often occurs sporadically or asymptomatically, making consistent monitoring essential.

While various diagnostic methods exist, ECG remains the definitive tool for detecting atrial fibrillation, according to Roh, the challenge is that ECG readings in a hospital only capture about 10 seconds of the heart's activity during a 24-hour period.

“Atrial fibrillation has a higher chance of successful treatment when detected in its early stages, making screening and early diagnosis essential,” Roh said.

Advanced features for at-home monitoring

Regarding such shortcomings, OMRON believes that OMRON Complete can address these challenges by offering continuous monitoring for atrial fibrillation and blood pressure fluctuations.

The device’s results can be transferred to a dedicated mobile app, where data is visualized in waveform format. This data can then be shared with healthcare providers for further consultation.

During the conference, Daisuke Nozaki from OMRON Healthcare headquarters, shared promising research results that demonstrate the device's accuracy.

A study conducted in Japan with 3,820 hypertensive patients over the age of 60 who had no previous history of atrial fibrillation found that about 6 percent were newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after using the OMRON Complete for three months.

Additionally, a separate study comparing the OMRON Complete's readings with those from a 12-lead ECG performed by medical professionals showed comparable accuracy in identifying atrial fibrillation and normal sinus rhythms, with a sensitivity of 100 percent and specificity of 86 percent.

OMRON Healthcare Korea CEO Daiki Adachi introduced the company's "Going for Zero" vision. This vision focuses on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through early detection of illnesses, prevention of progression to severe stages, and prevention of recurrence.

“I hope the OMRON Complete will greatly contribute to the health and happiness of Korean consumers,” Adachi said.