Farmers seven times more likely to die of heart disease

Irish farmers are seven times more likely to die of heart disease or stroke than those in other occupations.

More than 80% of farmers are overweight or obese, the overwhelming majority have a family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and almost half have either high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

In a study published by the Irish Heart Foundation yesterday, almost eight out of 10 farmers were found to have four or more risk factors for CVD, the leading cause of death in Ireland.