Page 118 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 118
STROKE & HEART HEALTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS
is very important information to help make the FACT SH1E0ETwOayNs StoTRbOeaKtEsPtrRoEkVeENTION
diagnosis. Secondly your doctor will look at an image
of the electricity going through your heart called an 1. Check your blood pressure Untreated high blood
electrocardiogram (ECG). There are certain patterns pressure (hypertension) is the biggest single risk
on the ECG, which suggest a heart attack. Lastly, your factor. Have your blood pressure checked by your
doctor will carry out blood tests, which will help family doctor who should also check other factors
confirm the diagnosis. including your cholesterol, weight and your risk of
STROKE diabetes.
Each year, approximately 10,000 Irish people have
a stroke and around 2,000 die – more deaths than 2. Manage your blood pressure If your blood
breast cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer pressure is above normal levels, your doctor will
combined. An estimated 30,000 people are living advise lifestyle changes and possibly medication.
in the community with disabilities as a result of a Always follow this advice. Medication for blood
stroke. This makes stroke the third biggest cause of pressure is usually for life.
death in Ireland and the biggest cause of acquired
disability. The Irish Heart Foundation funded the 3. Stop smoking doubles your risk of stroke. If you
first ever national audit of Stroke care in Ireland. In smoke, you should stop. For advice and support
November 2009, calling for urgent action to overhaul call the National Quitline 1850 201 203
stroke services. Go to the Irish Heart Foundation’s
website to see what actions we are taking to improve 4. Be more active Aim to include at least 30
Stroke services in Ireland. minutes of activity most days.
OVERVIEW
Deaths from ischemic heart disease including heart 5. Find something you enjoy. A great way is to
attack increased up to the 1970s when it peaked increase your activity is to build it into your
at 54% of deaths in 1974. Since then the trend has everyday life such as walking to work or taking
been moving towards a reduction in deaths from the stairs more often.
cardiovascular disease.
However, Ireland is still above average for premature 6. Have a healthy diet Follow the Food Pyramid
deaths from CVD for the EU member countries before guidelines. Eat five portions of fruit and
2004. Last available figures show that Ireland has 52 vegetables every day.
premature deaths per 100,000 in comparison with
the (pre 2004) EU average of 42. However, with the 7. Eat more high fibre foods such as wholegrain
inclusion of the Eastern European accession states, breads and cereals. Eat less fatty foods, especially
the average EU figure for the equivalent period rises foods high in saturated fat, such as fatty meat,
to 101 premature deaths per 100,000. confectionary, chocolate and snack foods.
Death rates from stroke have been declining
steadily since the 1970s and the mortality 8. Be a healthy weight Regular physical activity and
rate from stroke in Ireland is slightly below the a healthy diet will help you maintain a healthy
European average. weight.
9. To lose weight include physical activity at a
moderate intensity every day for 60 minutes;
follow a healthy diet and cut out alcohol. It may
help to join a weight loss group.
10. Drink less alcohol If you drink, keep within the
recommended limits. Men should drink no more
than 2-3 standard drinks per session and women
no more than 1-2 standard drinks. Spread your
drinking over the week and keep some days
alcohol-free.
118 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
is very important information to help make the FACT SH1E0ETwOayNs StoTRbOeaKtEsPtrRoEkVeENTION
diagnosis. Secondly your doctor will look at an image
of the electricity going through your heart called an 1. Check your blood pressure Untreated high blood
electrocardiogram (ECG). There are certain patterns pressure (hypertension) is the biggest single risk
on the ECG, which suggest a heart attack. Lastly, your factor. Have your blood pressure checked by your
doctor will carry out blood tests, which will help family doctor who should also check other factors
confirm the diagnosis. including your cholesterol, weight and your risk of
STROKE diabetes.
Each year, approximately 10,000 Irish people have
a stroke and around 2,000 die – more deaths than 2. Manage your blood pressure If your blood
breast cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer pressure is above normal levels, your doctor will
combined. An estimated 30,000 people are living advise lifestyle changes and possibly medication.
in the community with disabilities as a result of a Always follow this advice. Medication for blood
stroke. This makes stroke the third biggest cause of pressure is usually for life.
death in Ireland and the biggest cause of acquired
disability. The Irish Heart Foundation funded the 3. Stop smoking doubles your risk of stroke. If you
first ever national audit of Stroke care in Ireland. In smoke, you should stop. For advice and support
November 2009, calling for urgent action to overhaul call the National Quitline 1850 201 203
stroke services. Go to the Irish Heart Foundation’s
website to see what actions we are taking to improve 4. Be more active Aim to include at least 30
Stroke services in Ireland. minutes of activity most days.
OVERVIEW
Deaths from ischemic heart disease including heart 5. Find something you enjoy. A great way is to
attack increased up to the 1970s when it peaked increase your activity is to build it into your
at 54% of deaths in 1974. Since then the trend has everyday life such as walking to work or taking
been moving towards a reduction in deaths from the stairs more often.
cardiovascular disease.
However, Ireland is still above average for premature 6. Have a healthy diet Follow the Food Pyramid
deaths from CVD for the EU member countries before guidelines. Eat five portions of fruit and
2004. Last available figures show that Ireland has 52 vegetables every day.
premature deaths per 100,000 in comparison with
the (pre 2004) EU average of 42. However, with the 7. Eat more high fibre foods such as wholegrain
inclusion of the Eastern European accession states, breads and cereals. Eat less fatty foods, especially
the average EU figure for the equivalent period rises foods high in saturated fat, such as fatty meat,
to 101 premature deaths per 100,000. confectionary, chocolate and snack foods.
Death rates from stroke have been declining
steadily since the 1970s and the mortality 8. Be a healthy weight Regular physical activity and
rate from stroke in Ireland is slightly below the a healthy diet will help you maintain a healthy
European average. weight.
9. To lose weight include physical activity at a
moderate intensity every day for 60 minutes;
follow a healthy diet and cut out alcohol. It may
help to join a weight loss group.
10. Drink less alcohol If you drink, keep within the
recommended limits. Men should drink no more
than 2-3 standard drinks per session and women
no more than 1-2 standard drinks. Spread your
drinking over the week and keep some days
alcohol-free.
118 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
