Omron Healthcare has launched a blood pressure monitoring skill for Amazon Alexa. The skill works through the Omron connect app, which in turn syncs with all of Omron’s connected blood pressure monitors.

The new skill allows Alexa to compare readings across different dates and times of the day, and the latest reading against the last highest or lowest recorded reading. It can also provide the average reading upon request and locates and reads back a user’s latest blood pressure reading. The skill can also provide guidelines and tips to ensure accurate blood pressure measurement.

The findings of a 2018 study suggest that regular self-monitoring of blood pressure can reduce stroke risk by up to 20 per cent, and cuts the risk of coronary artery disease by 10 per cent.

“At Omron, we’re focused on helping people live active and comfortable lives, without any compromises on health,”Q said Omron Healthcare Europe president and CEO, André Van Gils. “Adding our Omron skill for Alexa is a major stride in that direction. Your blood pressure provides important health insights. Monitoring it regularly empowers you with knowledge, helps you act on your numbers sooner, and can even save your life”.

According to the World Health Organization, the number of Europeans suffering from high blood pressure amounts to over 40 per cent of the population aged 25 or older. “It’s more important than ever for us to find new ways to help people simplify and ease their blood pressure monitoring habits, so that they can understand and manage their condition more efficiently,” said Van Gils.

To enable the skill for Alexa, all need is the Alexa app and the Omron connect mobile app, which are available for free download from Appleand Google Play app stores. Each time they want to access information about their heart health, users just have to ask Alexa to open Omron connect. The skill is available in the UK now and will be rolled out in the rest of Europe in the upcoming months.