Statement: Nat. Pharmacy Conf – Pharmacists warn of rise in heart disease
Pharmacists meet in National Conference
Pharmacists warn of rise in heart disease – now responsible for 36% of all deaths in Ireland
- Call for Government to introduce a National Cardiovascular Screening Service
- Pharmacists available and willing to screen the public for heart disease
10.00am Sunday, 29 April 2012. Pharmacists are warning that Ireland is facing a crisis in heart disease and will call on the Government to introduce a National Cardiovascular Screening Service. Pharmacists are meeting this weekend at the National Pharmacy Conference hosted by the Irish Pharmacy Union in Galway.
The Conference will hear from Bernard Duggan, a pharmacist from Dublin and Chairman of the Community Pharmacy Committee, that approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, stroke and other circulatory diseases. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in Ireland, accounting for 36% of all deaths. The largest number of these deaths relate to coronary heart disease – mainly heart attack – at 5,000. 22% of premature deaths (under age 65) are from cardiovascular disease.
Mr. Duggan will tell the Conference “The introduction of screening for heart disease and other chronic diseases through pharmacies could directly reduce the number of deaths from heart disease each year in Ireland. This will not only save lives but will save money as well by reducing the need for expensive hospital care for those who are struck down with heart disease.”
The Irish Pharmacy Union says its members were willing and able to front an extensive nationwide campaign to screen the public for cardiovascular disease.
Further Information:
Ray@gordonmrm.ie
