“Complete” a Heart Health Challenge
An instructor of Emerging Technologies at Rutgers University School of Business Executive Education Programs and a “Top 100 Health Tech Influencer”, having served for several years on the board of directors of a major university hospital, I am often asked to collaborate with brands to review healthcare-related products and services. Though I have agreed to a paid collaboration with OMRON, the thoughts here are my own and may not reflect those of OMRON.
Heart disease is “the leading cause of death in the United States, causing about 1 in 4 deaths”, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control). Alarmingly, “one person dies every 37 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.” And, “every year, about 805,000 Americans have a heart attack.”
How do we improve our chances of not falling victim to the leading cause of death? In the age of smart homes and mobile health, you might not be so surprised to learn that there’s an app for that — and it wirelessly connects your smartphone to a combined home blood pressure monitor + EKG device, called Complete ™. Complete is the first blood pressure monitor with EKG capability in a single device for home use — with FDA clearance.
Complete ™ is designed and made by OMRON, the #1 recommended home blood pressure monitor brand by doctors and pharmacists “for clinically accurate home monitoring.” OMRON is not new to the field of home health technologies. It’s been the #1 selling manufacturer of home blood pressure monitors for over 40 years.
Why bother with an at-home (or on-the-road) EKG? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, an EKG, (also called a ECG and an electrocardiogram), is a simple, painless test that detects and records your heart’s electrical activity.” It is used to “detect and study heart problems”. OMRON brings the test to your home and shows you how to do it in simple steps.
In the past, an EKG required a visit to a doctor’s office and the unpleasant experience of having electrodes pasted onto your skin. Think about the trip to the doctor’s office. The wait. The cost (co-pay). Now think of eliminating all of that and actually doing it yourself in the comfort and privacy of your home or hotel. And at a level deemed to be “clinically accurate”, meaning medically reliable.
With OMRON’s Complete ™, an EKG becomes an easy at-home or on-the-road. Set your blue-tooth connected smartphone on top of the monitoring device with the Omron app open. Slip one arm into the cuff. Press the start button. Place your thumbs and fingers as displayed in the photo above. The machine will do the rest. From your app, your clinically-accurate EKG results can be seamlessly shared with a doctor if you choose.
Though I’m considered tech-savvy by some, I still need simple instructions. Omron, thankfully, understands that smart-home health-tech must be simple to understand and use. I like that not only does it provide clear, step-by-step instructions in its mobile app, but it still provides a diagrammed how-to booklet (with a toll-free customer service hotline) and an online how-to video!
Digital nomads, fellow travelers, will also appreciate how compact the device is. It comes with its own soft carrying case and easily fits into a day pack with room to spare!
The CDC notes that “80% of deaths from premature heart disease and stroke could be prevented” by lifestyle changes. Citing this, OMRON doesn’t just want consumers to buy its blood-pressure monitor + EKG device, Complete ™, it wants consumers to make a commitment to lifestyle changes that will improve heart health and quality of life. It’s asking consumers to join its “Going to Zero” heart attacks and strokes pledge.
I’m renewing my “Going to Zero” pledge and committing myself to make healthier lifestyle choices, including monitoring my heart health with Complete ™over the next ninety days — the period of time many consider to be necessary to truly make a lifestyle change. I’m hoping you’ll join me.
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