Microlife AFIBsens^TM is the world’s leading blood pressure measurement technology for detecting both atrial fibrillation (AF) and hypertension. Developed in collaboration with top medical experts, the patented technology utilizes an advanced algorithm that enables AF screening during blood pressure measurement at home. Reliable and easy-to-use, this technology has been clinically tested and proven to help people prevent strokes in over 80 countries worldwide.

40 million people live with AF around the world [1, 2]. Although AF is a major risk factor for stroke[3], home AF screening followed by appropriate treatment can prevent 68% of AF related strokes[4].

Early detection of AF is crucial, as many cases are asymptomatic and go unnoticed until complications arise. With Microlife’s clinically validated AFIBsens™ technology, individuals can monitor their heart rhythm at home, allowing for timely medical intervention.

Note: An AF diagnosis can only be confirmed by a physician using an Electrocardiogram (ECG). If AF is detected while using a Microlife AFIBsens™-integrated blood pressure monitor, consult a doctor.

AF causes the heart’s upper chambers (atria) to beat irregularly, disrupting normal blood flow. This can lead to blood pooling in the atria, increasing the risk of clot formation. If a clot forms and dislodges, it can travel through the bloodstream and block a cerebral artery in the brain. 
When a cerebral artery is blocked, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach brain tissue, resulting in an ischemic stroke. People with AF are up to five times more likely to experience a stroke, often with severe consequences. Early detection and proper management of AF are essential to reducing stroke risk.

AF is the most common type of irregular heartbeat and a major risk factor for stroke. People with AF are 5 times more likely to have a stroke than those without AF [4]. The risk of AF increases with age, jumping from 0.5% in people aged 40–50 to 14% in those over 85 [5].

Common AF symptoms include:
• Extreme fatigue
• Irregular heartbeats
• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
One of the greatest concerns with AF is that approximately
40% of episodes occur without noticeable symptoms [6].

Microlife blood pressure monitors with implemented AFIB technology, enable patients to be screened for AF during blood pressure measurements at home, using a sophisticated algorithm. If AF is detected during blood pressure measurements, the AFIB symbol is displayed. While the Microlife AFIB technology does not provide a diagnosis, it offers important information for your doctor, who can refer you for a 12-lead ECG to confirm the presence of AF.

MAM (Microlife Average Mode) - Three automated sequential measurements for the best results

A systematic review of all clinical evidence on the Microlife AFIB detector^[7] demonstrated that the highest sensitivity and specificity are achieved with three sequential measurements. For this reason, Microlife blood pressure monitors with AFIB technology are designed to take three automatic blood pressure measurements.

A pioneer in AF detection for nearly two decades, Microlife AFIBsens™ technology has proven its reliability over time. Supported by multiple independent large-scale clinical studies involving over 10,000 patients worldwide, Microlife holds the most abundant clinical validations, confirming its eff ectiveness as a trusted screening tool for AF.

All studies were compared against 12-lead ECG unless otherwise indicated; n.s. indicates not specified; *compared against electrocardiographic diagram

Oxford trial 2013^[12]
The University of Oxford in the UK, known as one of the best medical universities in the world, has performed a randomized clinical trial among 1,000 GP patients to reveal the best method for AF screening in primary care. This study showed that using the Microlife WatchBP Home A is the best method and is recommended for AF screening in primary care practice and for patients at home.

“Conclusions: WatchBP performs better as a triage test for identifying AF in primary care than the single-lead ECG monitors as it does not require expertise for interpretation and its diagnostic performance is comparable to single-lead ECG analysis by cardiologists. It could be used opportunistically to screen elderly patients for undiagnosed AF at regular intervals and/or during BP measurement. ” 

Irregular heartbeat feature (IHB) – what is the difference with AFIBsens technology?

“The main purpose of the IHB detector, therefore, is not to diagnose arrhythmias but rather to serve as a warning message indicating that the BP reading may not be accurate because of the presence of arrhythmia ^{[7, 19]}“

The majority of the available blood pressure devices allow blood pressure measurements to be applied simultaneously to irregular heartbeats and arrhythmias. However, this does not distinguish between the different types of arrhythmias. If the IHB  symbol appears in the display, non-hazardous arrhythmias such as sinus arrhythmia, premature atrial contractions (PAC) or bradycardia are also included. This can lead to patient insecurity.

Microlife AFIBsens is a medically proven technology for blood pressure devices that detects atrial fibrillation. The high degree of accuracy has been proven several times in clinical trials and has been recommended by international specialists and physicians.

Microlife AFIBsens in primary care

#1 Atrial fibrillation detection recommended by doctors ^[20]

The AF detection system has convincingly proven its accuracy and showed that it leads to increased detection of new patients with AF when used in general clinical practice.

Recognized by Stride BP, Microlife off ers a full range of AF detection devices for personal use at home.

Stride BP is an international scientifi c non-profi t organization founded in 2019 by leading hypertension experts. It provides independent, evidence-based guidance on blood pressure measurement devices that have been properly validated for accuracy and clinical use. Stride BP operates in affi liation with major medical organizations, including the International Society of Hypertension, the European Society of Hypertension, and the World Hypertension League. 

1. Giuseppe Lippi, Global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation: An increasing epidemic and public health challenge, International Journal of Stroke, 2021     Feb;16(2):217-221.
2. Kornej J, Börschel C, Benjamin E, Schnabel R. Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in the 21st century: novel methods and new insights. Circ Res. 2020;27:4–20.
3. Van Gelder, Isabelle C., et al. “2024 ESC Guidelines for management of Atrial Fibrillation Developed in Collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery(EACTS).” Eur Heart J, 45, 36, 2024: 3314–414.
4.  Hart RG, Benavente O, McBride R, Pearce LA: Antithrombotic therapy to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med 1999; 131:492-501.
5. Camm AJ, Lip GY, De Caterina R, Savelieva I, Atar D, Hohnloser SH et al.: 2012 focused update of the ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: an update of the 2010 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation--developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association. Europace 2012; 14:1385-1413.
6. Boriani G, Laroche C, Diemberger I, Fantecchi E, Popescu MI, Rasmussen LH et al.: Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation: clinical correlates, management, and outcomes in the EORPAF Pilot General Registry. Am J Med 2015; 128:509-518 e502.
7.  Verberk WJ, Omboni S, Kollias A, Stergiou GS: Screening for atrial fibrillation with automated blood pressure measurement: Research evidence and practice recommendations. Int J Cardiol 2016; 203:465-473.
8. Wiesel J, Wiesel D, Suri R, Messineo FC: The use of a modified sphygmomanometer to detect atrial fibrillation in outpatients. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2004; 27:639-643.
9. Stergiou GS, Karpettas N, Protogerou A, Nasothimiou EG, Kyriakidis M: Diagnostic accuracy of a home blood pressure monitor to detect atrial fibrillation. J Hum Hypertens 2009; 23:654-658.
10. Wiesel J, Fitzig L, Herschman Y, Messineo FC: Detection of atrial fibrillation using a modified microlife blood pressure monitor. Am J Hypertens 2009; 22:848-852.
11. Wiesel J, Abraham S, Messineo FC: Screening for asymptomatic atrial fibrillation while monitoring the blood pressure at home: trial of regular versus irregular pulse for prevention of stroke (TRIPPS 2.0). Am J Cardiol 2013; 111:1598-1601.
12. Kearley K, Selwood M, Van den Bruel A, Thompson M, Mant D, Hobbs FR et al.: Triage tests for identifying atrial fibrillation in primary care: a diagnostic accuracy study comparing single-lead ECG and modified BP monitors. BMJ Open 2014; 4:e004565.
13. Wiesel J, Arbesfeld B, Schechter D: Comparison of the Microlife blood pressure monitor with the Omron blood pressure monitor for detecting atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol 2014; 114:1046-1048.
14: Gandolfo C, Balestrino M, Bruno C, Finocchi C, Reale N: Validation of a simple method for atrial fibrillation screening in patients with stroke. Neurol Sci 2015; 36:1675-1678.
15. Chan PH, Wong CK, Pun L, Wong YF, Wong MM, Chu DW et al.: Head-to-Head Comparison of the AliveCor Heart Monitor and Microlife WatchBP Office AFIB for Atrial Fibrillation Screening in a Primary Care Setting. Circulation 2017; 135:110-112.
16. Chan PH, Wong CK, Pun L, Wong YF, Wong MM, Chu DW et al.: Diagnostic performance of an automatic blood pressure measurement device, Microlife WatchBP Home A, for atrial fibrillation screening in a real-world primary care setting. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e013685.
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19. Alpert BS, Quinn D, Gallick D: Oscillometric blood pressure: a review for clinicians. J Am Soc Hypertens 2014; 8:930-938.
20. NICE: WatchBP Home A for opportunistically detecting atrial fibrillation during diagnosis and monitoring of hypertension http://guidance.nice.org.uk/MTG13. 2013; Assessed 18 Aug. 2015.

* Microlife home blood pressure monitors with Microlife AFIBsens technology are not available in USA