We know all about health-tech devices that monitor and measure, gauging heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, and more with ever-increasing accuracy. But what about health technology that also educates? That question lies behind a significant new component of the OMROM platform. Syncing with the brand’s blood pressure monitors, the OMRON Connect app has expanded its features to include educational insights into heart health and related issues.

What can you now learn through the OMRON platform? The app has quick-read articles on topics of relevance for people who use blood pressure monitors, covering topics such as AFib identification, heart-friendly diets, and behavior changes that could help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. All the app users get to access at least two articles, while premium users have access to all of OMRON Connect’s articles. These articles include tips for sleeping, practical plans to stick with exercise regimens, and guides for healthy living.

As we get caught up in the incredible advancements of health-tech devices, the importance of basic education can get lost. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that many people with AFib (abnormal heartbeats) don’t know they have it. These people don’t exhibit symptoms or don’t recognize their AFib symptoms, which include fatigue, lightheadedness, and heart palpitations. The CDC says AFib contributes to around 158,000 deaths in the U.S. each year and over 454,000 hospitalizations. Education on identifying AFib could help bring those numbers down.

OMRON’s Senior Product Manager Christian Nikolopoulos says, “Education is a centerpiece of how we are pursuing our Going for Zero mission to eliminate heart attack and stroke. An educated consumer can take charge of their heart health and can take real steps to live a longer, healthier life.” And so OMRON’s revamped app now includes information on how lifestyle impacts heart health, guides on how to identify conditions including AFib, and advice on how to talk with a healthcare provider about treatment.

This much-needed focus on education comes at the right time; the CDC says deaths related to AFib have been on the rise for over two decades, and it estimates that 12.1 million Americans will have AFib in 2030.