Health officials promise to target heart disease
It is the main cause of death in Europe and in Ireland, accounting for half of all deaths.
A total of 25 organisations, led by the Department of Health and Children and the Irish Heart Foundation, as well as six MEPs yesterday pledged their commitment to the European Health Charter — a new EU-wide policy document on CVD.
The charter stresses that lifestyle is not a matter for the individual alone and that policy makers have a role to play in providing supportive environments to support more activity.
It also states that every child born in this millennium has the right to live to at least age 65 without suffering from what it terms as “avoidable CVD”.
The Irish Heart Foundation, who organised the event, said a high level of solidarity from the main players was necessary if progress was to be made in tackling the disease.
Key signatories include Professor Eoin O’Brien, president of the Irish Heart Foundation, David Kennedy, chairman of the National Heart Alliance and Geraldine Luddy, director of the Women’s Health Council.
Prof O’Brien, said it was estimated that the total cost of CVD to the Irish economy was €866 million, which includes healthcare costs, loss of productivity and informal care. Across Europe the cost is estimated at €169 billion.
Prof O’Brien said the rule of halves operated across Europe. Half of the population over the age of 50 had high blood pressure and half of that group was unaware of the fact. Half of those diagnosed with hypertension were not treated and, of those who were, only half were achieving normal blood pressure.
President of the Irish Cardiac Society, Dr David Higginson, warned that creating smoke-free environments was not enough: “Much still needs to be done in promoting healthier low-fat eating habits, reducing obesity and blood pressure levels and increasing levels of physical activity.”
