Early Atrial Fibrillation Detection with Home ECG Monitoring

Mr. B, a 70-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension, felt reassured by the results of his annual health checkup, which showed no abnormalities, and was confident that he was healthy. However, atrial fibrillation had been progressing without any noticeable symptoms. Through home ECG monitoring, asymptomatic atrial fibrillation was detected, and he reflects on the experience, saying, “I was lucky it was discovered early.” This case study examines the invisible dangers of atrial fibrillation.

The Pitfalls of "No Abnormalities" in Health Checkups: Overlooking Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation

ECG tests during routine health checkups only record a few seconds of data, which means transient atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) can easily be missed. In fact, about 40% of atrial fibrillation patients show no symptoms, making it difficult to detect through standard health screenings. 

The Atrial Fibrillation Risk Hypertension Patients Should Know About: The Reality of Silent Progression

1. The Close Relationship Between Hypertension and Atrial Fibrillation: Individuals with a history of hypertension, like Mr. B, face a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Approximately 50% to 60% of people with atrial fibrillation also have hypertension, and those with hypertension are about three times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation. 

2. Characteristics of Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: A key aspect of Mr. B’s case is that he experienced no symptoms. This type of atrial fibrillation has the following characteristics: 

   1. Difficulty in predicting onset: Often not detected during health checkups 

   2. Difficulty in noticing progression: No interference with daily life 

   3. High risk of complications: Even without symptoms, the risk of stroke is as high as in symptomatic atrial fibrillation 

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases sharply with age, and it is said that 10% to 20% of people with hypertension have atrial fibrillation. 

Home ECG Saved “Invisible Atrial Fibrillation” 

1. Limitations of health checkups and blind spots for hypertensive patients: Mr. B says, “My health checkups show no abnormalities every year,” but this highlights a common overlooked area for hypertensive patients. They become so focused on blood pressure readings that they fail to pay attention to arrhythmias. Additionally, the ECG performed during a standard health checkup only records the heart's electrical signals for a few seconds. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to accidentally capture occasional episodes of atrial fibrillation within that short timeframe. 

2. Early detection of atrial fibrillation through home ECG monitoring: Home ECG monitoring marked a turning point in Mr. B's life. Through regular measurements, what he initially thought was a “device malfunction” turned out to be dangerous atrial fibrillation. A highly health-conscious person, Mr. B was surprised to learn he had this condition.  

3. Effective information sharing with physicians: Mr. B's testimony that “the best part was being able to show the ECG data stored on my smartphone directly to the physician, who then incorporated it into my medical records” demonstrates how crucial home monitoring data was for diagnosis. With objective data in hand, the physician was able to make a swift and accurate diagnosis. 

Treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension 

In cases like Mr. B's, where a patient with a history of hypertension is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, the primary goal is stroke prevention. Since individuals with hypertension have about three times the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, properly managing both blood pressure and atrial fibrillation can significantly reduce the risk of future stroke.

From “Lucky” to “Normal" – The Era of Preventive Medicine 

The Peace of Mind Brought by Early Detection 

Reflecting on his experience, Mr. B said, “I was lucky to have it detected early. I have nothing but gratitude.” The discovery of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation not only significantly reduced his future risk of stroke but also improved his quality of life through appropriate treatment. 

Advances in Preventive Care through Technological Innovation 

With the spread of technologies like OMRON Healthcare’s simultaneous blood pressure and ECG monitoring, early detection of atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients like Mr. B has become possible. Such individual “lucky breaks” are expected to evolve into standard medical care, driving advancements in preventive medicine across society. 

Message from the Patient 

“It's better to get tested. If equipment to measure blood pressure and ECG had been more readily available nearby, detection could have come even earlier,” Mr. B said.

His experience serves as an important warning to all hypertensive patients: because there are often no symptoms, regular checks for atrial fibrillation could save lives.