Since 1999 with the launch of Building Healthier Heart progress has been made on a number of key initiatives, these and key areas for development are outlined in the audit of the cardiovascular health strategy, Ireland: Take Heart, An Audit of the Implementation of Building Healthier Hearts. The audit highlighted the key achievements during the first five years of implementation of the strategy. The report describes trends in cardiovascular health with an emphasis on the changes since the mid 1990s. A very welcome reduction (54%) in coronary heart disease (CHD) death rates since 1985 and in particular the accelerated pace of reduction in Ireland since the mid 1990’s compared with the EU average. Ireland no longer has the highest rate of premature mortality for CHD in the EU-15. The report also outlines investment to date and sets out the current state of implementation of the recommendations and identifies the way forward.
Other areas of progress in the area of heart health have included the ongoing implementation of the recommendations of Sudden Cardiac Death Task Force Report. This has included the publication of a First Responder Guide and a number of other initiatives.
Significant is the ongoing implementation in 5 pilot sites of Heartbeat, an Irish campaign to reduce mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Also a Heart Failure Action Plan 2008-2011 is being developed in order to improve quality of life and health outcomes, from early detection to terminal care, for people affected by or at risk of developing heart failure.
Related Link:
Cardiac First Responder Guide
Link to National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland – ‘Get Ireland Active’
Link to Action Research Projects in Palliative Care and Heart Failure and Advanced Respiratory Disease
Link to DOHC Slán: Smoking Patterns in Ireland: Implications for policy and services, 2009
Stroke
Approximately 2,000 people die from stroke each year accounting for more deaths than breast cancer, lung cancer and bowel cancer combined. Up to 10,000 people suffer stroke each year in the Republic of Ireland (ESRI) and there are an estimated 30,000 people in the community with residual disability from stroke. Using international data, it is calculated that many who survive stroke have significant ongoing disability including hemiparesis (48%), inability to walk (22%), need for help with activities of daily living (24-53%), clinical depression (32%) and cognitive impairment (33%).
The Irish Heart Foundation, in association with the Department of Health and Children has commissioned a national audit of stroke services, the largest study of stroke ever to take place in Ireland. The results of the study will inform a much-needed national strategy on stroke care.
Click here to view Irish Heart Foundation National Audit of Stroke Care (PDF 2.2MB)
Link to Irish Heart Foundation: Council for Stroke National Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations for the Care of People with Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack Final Version October 2009 (963.22 KB PDF)
Related Links:
Last updated on: 09 / 07 / 2010