A Tipperary TD and Senator have joined an Oireachtas Heart and Stroke group to back urgent calls for a new national cardiovascular disease (CVD) health policy.
Deputy Mattie McGrath and Senator Imelda Goldsboro have agreed to be advocates for the thousands of heart disease and stroke patients in their constituency.
In Tipperary, 19,000 people live with the disease, which causes a wide range of heart conditions while, nationally, 80,000 CVD patients are discharged home every year.
Ireland has not had a CVD disease policy for over five years and the Irish Heart Foundation(IHF) is now lobbying for this failure to be addressed which it says will deliver huge reductions in preventable death and disability.
Ireland has the lowest number of cardiologists per capita in the EU and there is a critical need for investment in cardiac imaging including Cardiac MRI according to the Irish Heart Foundation. In addition, the IHF wants improved cardiac and stroke rehabilitation services and action to create awareness around the risks associated with high blood pressure.
Cashel is the venue for the 2025 National Stroke Conference on Monday. The event is fully booked out according to one of the key organisers Tipperary town’s Martin Quinn. The Conference is hosted by the South Tipperary Stroke Communication group. It is the 4th Conference hosted by the group and will provide information on a range of topics including aphasia (difficulties with language post stroke), brain injury, rehabilitation, therapy and recovery, support for family and carers, risks and prevention, and medical advances in the treatment of stroke. Attendees will also receive an update on the National Stroke Strategy.
