Patients step out for heart campaign

Adults were today warned to know their blood pressure number in order to avoid the risk of serious illness.

Health experts said the silent predator, which rarely carries any symptoms, affects more than half of Irish adults.

The Irish Heart Foundation urged people to have their blood pressure checked regularly to prevent the risk of heart disease and stroke as it launched Irish Heart Week.

More than 300 big-hearted cardiac patients joined President Mary McAleese for the inaugural Walk with Heart event in the Phoenix Park to mark the beginning of the awareness week.

Professor Alice Stanton, Chair of the Irish Heart Foundation’s Council on Blood Pressure, said adults must keep an eye on their blood pressure.

“Nearly 10,000 people die from cardiovascular diseases in Ireland each year,” she said.

“Elevated blood pressure is the cause of over half of these deaths.

“The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured.”

A recent survey showed 60% of men and women aged over 45 have the condition.

Despite being on medication, 70% of those still had higher levels than recommended,

Many people with the condition can still look and feel well, making it a silent predator.

Prof Stanton said once detected, high blood pressure can be managed through lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, regular exercise and weight loss.

“Reducing your blood pressure will protect you against heart attacks and strokes,” she said.

The Walk with Heart event was organised to highlight the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation programmes for patients recovering from heart attacks and heart surgery.

The Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (IACR) said heart disease killed more than 9,000 people in the country last year.

The programme monitors patients’ progress to ensure they have access to the best advice and health professionals in 38 centres around the country.

“It is vitally important to promote cardiac rehabilitation as an invaluable service for patients with heart disease,” said IACR president Dr Vincent Maher.

“This is literally a second chance for life for many people, and our hope is that more and more people become aware and avail of this dedicated service.”

The awareness week, called Love Your Heart, Lower Your Blood Pressure, takes place from September 22 to 28.