Omron moves from hypertension control to AFib detection | Top Vip News

Japanese company Omron Healthcare, which specializes in hypertension management solutions, is now foraying into the detection of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is a major risk factor for stroke.

“Hypertension is a future risk factor for stroke, but it is not acute, it is a chronic disease. Clinical studies suggest that more than 220 million people in India suffer from hypertension,” said Tetsuya Yamada, MD, Omron Healthcare India, speaking to The Hindu added that hypertension triples the risk of atrial fibrillation, which in turn significantly increases the risk of stroke five-fold.

Yamada said this disclosure prompted the company’s transition from hypertension management to AFib screening, recognizing the urgent need to address AFib’s impact on stroke risk.

To address this, Omron is venturing into home ECG monitoring in collaboration with AlivCor, a US-based company that develops medical devices.

These devices can detect AFib, normal heart rhythm, tachycardia, and bradycardia; both mean faster or slower than normal heart rate, respectively.

In addition to this, the company is collaborating with Tricog, a Bengaluru-based entity in remote cardiac diagnostics that provides AI-based ECG interpretation services, to expand access to ECG readings at home, which could Help doctors make informed and faster decisions.

Despite technological advances, many Indians are unaware of atrial fibrillation and a shortage of cardiologists impedes timely diagnosis and treatment, the company said.

Omron is planning further innovation in ECG technology and expansion into underserved regions to make cardiovascular health monitoring accessible to everyone.

With a three-pronged approach: geographical expansion, product diversification and technological innovation, the company aims to make its monitoring solutions affordable and accessible to all.