OMRON marks 40 years of Ohasama Study advancing home blood pressure monitoring

JAPAN—OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd. is marking the 40th anniversary of the Ohasama Study, one of the world’s longest-running community-based cardiovascular research projects.

The milestone comes ahead of World Heart Day on September 29 and highlights four decades of research into home blood pressure monitoring and hypertension management.

Researchers from Tohoku University launched the study in 1986 under Professor Yutaka Imai in response to the high burden of hypertension and stroke in Ohasama, Iwate Prefecture.

Since then, researchers have followed more than 11,000 residents for an average of 15 years.

The study found that blood pressure measured at home can provide a stronger indication of future cardiovascular risk than measurements taken only in medical facilities. These findings helped strengthen the scientific case for home monitoring as part of routine hypertension care.

OMRON Healthcare has supported the research since its beginning, initially providing about 300 home blood pressure monitors.

The partnership has continued through collaboration among residents, healthcare professionals, local authorities and researchers.

Influence on hypertension care

Findings from the Ohasama Study have contributed to international hypertension guidelines, including recommendations from the World Health Organization and the European Society of Hypertension.

The research also helped establish the internationally recognised home blood pressure threshold of 135/85 mmHg.

The study continues to generate research under the leadership of Professor Takayoshi Ohkubo.

It is now conducted as a multicentre collaborative project coordinated by Teikyo University in Tokyo.

Recent research has examined the relationship between sodium and potassium intake and cardiovascular health.

One study found that a higher urinary sodium to potassium ratio was associated with elevated levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a biomarker associated with cardiac stress.

The finding could support further research into earlier identification of cardiovascular changes.

“When the Ohasama Study began, blood pressure was generally considered something to be measured in medical facilities rather than at home,” said Dr Yutaka Imai, professor emeritus at Tohoku University and founding principal investigator of the study.

He credited the study’s progress to the continued participation of local residents, healthcare professionals, government officials, and researchers.

According to Imai, residents who regularly measured and recorded their blood pressure helped generate evidence on the value of home monitoring in assessing cardiovascular risk.

Continuing focus on prevention

OMRON Healthcare President and CEO Ayumu Okada said the study demonstrated the value of sustained collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals and communities.

He said the company would continue supporting evidence based approaches to cardiovascular prevention as part of its Going for Zero vision, which focuses on reducing preventable cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events.

OMRON Healthcare is also promoting regular home blood pressure measurement and earlier detection of atrial fibrillation as part of its ongoing work in preventive cardiovascular care.

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