OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd., a global leader in home health monitoring devices, has announced its support for May Measurement Month 2026, an annual blood pressure screening and awareness campaign held in conjunction with World Hypertension Day on May 17. The company will donate approximately 3,000 blood pressure monitors worldwide, including models capable of detecting the possibility of atrial fibrillation (AFib), to support screening and awareness activities across participating countries.
Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease globally, contributing to over 10 million deaths each year. Despite the availability of effective management strategies, awareness and treatment rates remain suboptimal in many regions. Launched in 2017, May Measurement Month aims to highlight the risks of hypertension and the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring. To date, the campaign has screened more than 7 million people, identifying over 1 million individuals with previously untreated hypertension.
OMRON Healthcare has supported May Measurement Month since its inception, contributing to screening activities in around 120 countries and regions through the donation of approximately 33,000 blood pressure monitors. This year’s donation of 3,000 devices includes models that can screen for AFib, a common but underrecognized arrhythmia that often goes undiagnosed despite being a major risk factor for stroke and heart failure. The campaign, running from May to July, will raise awareness through screening events and educational activities worldwide, including blood pressure measurement sessions and guidance on dietary and lifestyle changes for hypertension management.
Professor Neil R. Poulter, Chief Investigator and Chair of Trustees of May Measurement Month, stated: “Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, and the potentially life-threatening arrhythmia atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, it is increasingly clear that regular home blood pressure monitoring improves hypertension management, which in turn reduces these major adverse cardiovascular events and the risk of atrial fibrillation. By donating blood pressure monitors that are also capable of detecting probable atrial fibrillation, this initiative can enhance early detection and treatment of hypertension and atrial fibrillation, ultimately helping to save more lives around the world from cardiovascular diseases.”
Ayumu Okada, President and CEO of OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd., commented: “Since the launch of our first home blood pressure monitor in 1973, we have worked alongside healthcare professionals to promote the importance of blood pressure monitoring and improve access to home measurement. The goals of May Measurement Month align closely with our own Going for ZERO vision, which aims to eliminate cerebro-cardiovascular events worldwide, and we will continue to collaborate with May Measurement Month to improve global cardiovascular health outcomes through the further expansion of this important initiative.”
The implications of this announcement are significant for global public health. By providing devices that detect both hypertension and AFib, OMRON Healthcare is enabling earlier identification of individuals at risk for stroke and other cardiovascular events. This proactive approach can lead to timely interventions, potentially reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. For more information about May Measurement Month, visit https://maymeasure.org.
