OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd., a global leader in clinically proven medical equipment for home health monitoring and treatment, has marked 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 celebrates four decades of research that helped establish home blood pressure monitoring as a global standard for hypertension management.
Launched in 1986 by a team from Tohoku University under the leadership of Professor Yutaka Imai, the Ohasama Study responded to the high burden of hypertension and stroke in the community of Ohasama, Iwate Prefecture. Over the years, it has followed more than 11,000 local residents over an average of 15 years, demonstrating that home blood pressure measurement is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular outcomes than in-clinic readings alone. OMRON Healthcare supported the study from its outset, providing some 300 home blood pressure monitors, establishing a partnership that continues today.
The study's findings have influenced hypertension guidelines worldwide, including those of the World Health Organization and the European Society of Hypertension. It laid the scientific foundation for the internationally recognized 135/85 mmHg home blood pressure threshold and helped make home blood pressure measurement a routine part of hypertension diagnosis and management. As cardiovascular disease remains the world's leading cause of death, these contributions are critical for improving global health outcomes.
Now led by Professor Takayoshi Ohkubo as a multicentre collaborative study coordinated by Tokyo's Teikyo University, the Ohasama Study continues to generate new insights. Recent findings include an association between a higher urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio and elevated BNP levels, a biomarker of cardiac load, suggesting potential for earlier identification of cardiac stress. This ongoing research underscores the importance of preventive care and could lead to new strategies for detecting and managing cardiovascular risk.
Reflecting on the study's legacy, Dr. Yutaka Imai, Professor Emeritus at Tohoku University and founding principal investigator, said, "When the Ohasama Study began, blood pressure was generally considered something to be measured in medical facilities rather than at home. The study was made possible by the long-term cooperation of local residents, healthcare professionals, government officials, and researchers. By measuring and recording their blood pressure at home day after day, the people of Ohasama helped us build the scientific evidence demonstrating the clinical value of home blood pressure measurement and its importance in assessing cerebro- and cardiovascular risk. Forty years on, I am delighted that this work has contributed to the wider adoption of home blood pressure monitoring and improved hypertension management. I look forward to the Ohasama Study continuing to generate new insights for preventive healthcare and digital health."
Ayumu Okada, President and CEO of OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd., added, "The Ohasama Study has shown how sustained collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals and local communities can transform cardiovascular care worldwide. We are proud to have supported this important work from its earliest days and deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to its success over four decades. As we pursue our Going for Zero vision, we remain committed to promoting evidence-based innovation that empowers individuals and families while supporting healthcare professionals in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease."
Building on its longstanding commitment, OMRON Healthcare continues to advance preventive cardiovascular care through initiatives including the promotion of regular home blood pressure measurement and earlier detection of atrial fibrillation. For more information, visit OMRON Healthcare's website and the Ohasama Study page.
