OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd., a global leader in home health monitoring devices, announced its support for May Measurement Month 2026, an annual blood pressure screening campaign coinciding with World Hypertension Day on May 17. The company will donate approximately 3,000 blood pressure monitors to participating countries, including models capable of detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common but often undiagnosed arrhythmia linked to stroke and heart failure.
Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, causing over 10 million deaths annually. Despite the availability of effective management strategies, awareness and treatment rates remain low in many regions. Since its launch in 2017, May Measurement Month has screened over 7 million people globally, identifying more than 1 million individuals with previously untreated hypertension. OMRON has supported the campaign from the start, contributing to screening activities in about 120 countries and donating roughly 33,000 devices to date.
This year’s campaign, running from May to July, will feature screening events and educational activities worldwide, including blood pressure measurement sessions and guidance on lifestyle changes for managing hypertension. The donated devices include models that screen for AFib, a condition that often goes undetected despite being a major risk factor for stroke and heart failure.
Professor Neil R. Poulter, Chief Investigator and Chair of Trustees of May Measurement Month, emphasized the importance of regular home monitoring. "Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Regular home blood pressure monitoring improves hypertension management, reducing these adverse events and the risk of atrial fibrillation. By donating monitors capable of detecting probable AFib, this initiative enhances early detection and treatment, ultimately saving more lives," he said.
Ayumu Okada, President and CEO of OMRON Healthcare, noted the alignment with the company's "Going for ZERO" vision, which aims to eliminate cerebro-cardiovascular events worldwide. "Since our first home blood pressure monitor in 1973, we have worked to promote the importance of blood pressure monitoring. We will continue collaborating with May Measurement Month to improve global cardiovascular health outcomes," he stated.
For more information about May Measurement Month, visit https://maymeasure.org. OMRON Healthcare, with over 400 million units sold globally, provides the world's most recommended blood pressure monitors by healthcare professionals. More details are available at https://healthcare.omron.com/.
