Early AFib Detection with OMRON Complete

Mr. A, a male patient in his 60s, believed that his shortness of breath when climbing stairs was “just part of aging.” However, atrial fibrillation was detected through home ECG monitoring, leading to appropriate treatment. Atrial fibrillation is a dangerous arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke by five times, but early detection can prevent severe complications.

The Terrifying “Silent Killer” — Atrial Fibrillation That Can Progress Without Symptoms 

Atrial fibrillation is often called the “silent killer,” with about 40% of patients experiencing no symptoms as the condition progresses. It causes blood to pool in the atria and form clots, making those affected about five times more likely to suffer a stroke than those without it. High blood pressure is a major risk factor, and regular ECG monitoring is a key preventive measure.

What Is Atrial Fibrillation? — Symptoms That Are Easy to Overlook 

Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia caused by irregular electrical signals in the atria, which reduce the amount of blood pumped from the atria to the ventricles and affects blood flow throughout the body. Like Mr. A, many people dismiss symptoms such as shortness of breath when climbing stairs, mild palpitations, and fatigue as “inevitable due to aging,” but these may actually be early symptoms of atrial fibrillation. 

The Importance of Home Monitoring 

1. Approximately 70% are Asymptomatic: Mr. A recalled, “I had heard the term ‘arrhythmia’ before, but I had no idea what atrial fibrillation was.” His symptoms were mild, and he dismissed shortness of breath when climbing stairs as “just a result of aging.” This is a common pattern among atrial fibrillation patients — about 40% experience no symptoms at all, which means the condition can easily go undetected without medical attention.  

2. Detection via Home Electrocardiogram (ECG): The turning point came when Mr. A used a home ECG. “When I first measured myself with the device, I could actually see the abnormal waveform in the data,” he recalled — a vivid reminder of the value of home monitoring.  

3. Confirmation of Diagnosis and Treatment Selection at a Medical Facility: After a week of observation at the clinic, medication was tried, but its effect was limited, so catheter ablation was chosen instead. “After the surgery, the ECG waveform clearly returned to normal. When I had atrial fibrillation, there was a small peak — but that’s gone now,” he said, noting the effects of the treatment. 

Conventional Drug Therapy vs. The Latest Ablation Treatment

Advances in Catheter Ablation

In Mr. A’s case, conventional antiarrhythmic drug therapy did not yield sufficient results. However, significant improvement was achieved with catheter ablation, one of the latest treatment options. While results vary by facility and technique, data show that catheter ablation improves symptoms in roughly 70–80% of cases. 

Among these methods, cryoballoon ablation, which freezes the abnormal electrical signals in the heart, was recognized in 2024 as the most recommended treatment by the Japanese medical community. This approach is considered safer and more effective than the traditional heat-based technique. 

Home Monitoring Saves Lives – A New Era in Preventive Care 

The Value of Daily ECG Recording 

After treatment, Mr. A emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring, saying, “It is necessary to check every day. If it is detected early, you can lead a healthier life.” 

“If you suddenly develop a serious illness, it may be too late. Regular check-ups and early detection increase the chances of successful treatment and lead to a healthier life,” said Mr. A.

His words serve as an important warning to all high-risk individuals: early detection and treatment can prevent severe complications.