Omron Healthcare (TYO:6645) said late last week that it launched its HeartGuide wearable blood pressure monitor, touting it as the world’s first such device.
The HeartGuide is an FDA-cleared, wearable oscillometric blood pressure monitor intended for personal use and styled to function as a wrist watch, the Lake Forest, Ill.-based company said. The device features a cuff in the wrist watch band which inflates to measure systolic and diastolic pressures at a clinical level of accuracy, the company claims.
The newly launched HeartGuide also monitors physical activity including steps taken, distance walked, calories burned and sleep quality, Omron said. The system is intended to connect to a free, proprietary mobile app from the company to monitor their lifestyle and heart health.
“Omron is excited to begin pre-order access to HeartGuide. Since Omron first announced this device, we have received countless messages from consumers expressing interest. As a medical-grade blood pressure device in the form of a wrist watch, HeartGuide is a breakthrough for the category and for those who want to keep a close watch on their blood pressure anytime, anywhere. HeartGuide is a key way Omron is advancing our mission of Going for Zero heart attacks and strokes. Because blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, regular self-monitoring empowers consumers to take immediate action on their heart health numbers and fuels a more productive patient-physician dialogue to evolve treatments and improve outcomes. Studies show regular self-monitoring can reduce stroke risk by up to 20 percent and cut the risk of coronary artery disease by 10 percent. We created HeartGuide and its accompanying app, HeartAdvisor, to reduce those risks and to help save lives,” prez & CEO Ranndy Kellogg said in a press release.
In July, Omron saw sales for its healthcare division grow nearly 9% during its fiscal first quarter.
