Working Life: Anna O’Donoghue - nurse, Irish Heart Mobile Health Unit

7am: My journey today is 40 minutes drive. With lunches made for my three children, I’m ready to leave home at 8am.

8.45am

Thanks to Google maps I find the mart I am working in.

The Mobile Health Unit is already parked and safety checks completed by Philip the driver. Irish Heart is offering free health checks to farmers in the mart today.

Setting up takes around 20 minutes. First check is the AED, then setting up the cholesterol machine, and health check equipment. I log on to my chrome book where all the information for each health check is stored.

The health check takes approximately 30 minutes and includes a cholesterol check, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse, and lifestyle advice. There are two nurses working in the unit today.

9.30am

I welcome the first farmer to the unit. He smokes 30 cigarettes daily. We discuss smoking as a major risk towards heart disease.

I hope I have empowered him to think about quitting. The nicest part of my work is meeting different characters within their work environment.

Everyday I leave the unit with more knowledge, from the price of cattle to types of feed available!

10.30am

A husband and wife attend for a health check. This 60-year-old farmer has never had his cholesterol checked. His cholesterol reading is raised and I explain the breakdown.

I encourage him to exercise and we discuss dietary changes. I advise him to attend his GP for further investigations. He’s grateful for the health check He leaves with all his results on a record card, and plans to see his GP next week.

12.30pm

A 40-year-old part-time farmer comes in for a health check. His blood pressure is raised, we chat about lifestyle and risk factors for heart disease. He admits his diet is very poor. He is advised to attend his GP within the next month, and leaves with some Irish Heart information booklets on healthy eating and blood pressure.

4.30pm

The day goes quickly, and in total 26 farmers attend for full health checks. I clean down the equipment, and secure it before heading home.

6pm

Home in time to taxi my three children to football training.

• Anna O’Donoghue, nurse, Irish Heart Mobile Health Unit.
• For details on the latest Irish Heart Mobile Health Unit locations, visit www.irishheart.ie, or call the National Heart & Stroke Helpline on freefone 1800 25 25 50.