Croí Third Age
Putting the spotlight on your heart health, for over 55’s
Croí Third Age Mayo offers a new way of thinking about ageing and is specifically designed to promote and support the cardiovascular health and well-being of the over 55 population in the county.
Heart disease, stroke and diabetes are more common as we get older. If detected early, many heart conditions such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat) can be treated so that people can have a longer and better quality of life.
Upcoming Mayo Events
Third Age Mayo
The Third Age
Croí Surveys Provide Significant Insights on Cardiovascular Disease in over 55’s
Croí worked with Ipsos to design and conduct a survey of 400 people aged over 45 in Mayo. The survey was designed to investigate themes related to awareness and understanding of CVD prevention according to adults in Mayo.
- Nearly 50% have high cholesterol
- Almost 40% have high blood pressure
- Over 30% are inactive
- Almost 80% are overweight / obese
Building on these findings, Croí Third Age calls on individuals, communities and all sectors of society to put the spotlight on the over 55’s by promoting the key messages of the programme:
Own it. Check it. Sort it.
Our vision is to develop a culture in County Mayo where promoting cardiovascular health and well-being is a priority for the 55+ population.
While County Mayo has been selected to pilot the programme, its impact will play a key role in influencing Ireland’s National Healthy Ageing Strategy.
As we get older, age-related heart disease and stroke become more prevalent. What can you do today, now, to improve your health? Keep making or start making better choices.
- Take an active role in managing your health
- It’s never too early, but also never too late
- Look for ways you can improve your physical, mental and social health so you can enjoy an independent and good quality of life
- Live a healthy lifestyle.
- See Croí’s health eating tips
- Exercise for health
- A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of developing heart disease and stroke. There are 2 types of risk factors – those you can do nothing about (age, gender, family history) and those you can change (such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, lack of regular exercise, overweight/obesity)
- Focus on the risk factors you can change, because there is a lot you can do to reduce your risk and prevent disease. More than 80% of heart disease and stroke can be prevented with lifestyle changes
- Know your numbers – this will help you understand how healthy you are.
- check your blood pressure
- cholesterol
- sugar level
- weight/BMI/ waist circumference
- If you are over 65 years or have a family history of heart valve disease, or have ever been told you have a heart murmur have your health care provider listen to your heart
- Learn how to check your pulse to make sure it is regular
- Without testing for these conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart valve disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation (irregular pulse) and diabetes you probably won’t know you have them
- Symptoms are often silent but with early detection and management, outcomes can be very good
- It’s not enough to just know your numbers and risk factors, you need to take control and do what needs to be done for a long and healthy life
- Schedule a yearly check up to keep on top of your health
- Keep a record of your numbers
- Set yourself some healthy goals you can work towards and build on these
- If you lose momentum, immediately get back on track to re-establishing a healthy lifestyle
- Keep track of your achievements and reward yourself by doing something you enjoy
- It is very important to always take your medications as prescribed by your doctor
- Get support from family and friends
- Stay active and connected to your community
Past Events
Own it, Check it and Sort it as part of the Croí Third Age Programme
Did you know that uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke? The Croí Third Age programme, which aims to promote healthy cardiovascular ageing, is delighted to partner with local pharmacies across Mayo and Roscommon for the month of September, which is World Heart Month, to offer free blood pressure checks to anyone who has not had their blood pressure checked in the past year, with a particular focus on those over 55 years of age.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of the blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high. This causes many harmful effects on the body and if left untreated can significantly increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure typically has no symptoms – the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly (at least once a year).
From September 1st – 30th, pharmacies across Mayo and Roscommon will be participating in this initiative. Visit one of the participating pharmacies for your free blood pressure check and ‘Own it, Check it, Sort it!’.
Croí ‘My Blood Pressure’ Programme
Members of the public found to have high blood pressure will be offered information and advice, as well as the opportunity to take part in a free Croí Blood Pressure Management Programme delivered by the Croí Multi-Disciplinary Health Team.
Mayo Locations
- Ballina – Kilroy's Pharmacy
- Ballinrobe – Hynes Pharmacy, Ryder's Pharmacy
- Ballyhaunis – Curley's Pharmacy
- Castlebar – Treacy's Pharmacy, Staunton's Pharmacy (Main Street), Staunton's Pharmacy (Antrim Street), Staunton's Pharmacy (Bridge Street), Staunton's Pharmacy (Hopkins Road)
- Claremorris – Aran Health Pharmacy
- Kilkelly – Life Pharmacy
- Louisburgh – Staunton's Pharmacy
- Westport – O'Connell's Pharmacy, O'Donnell's Pharmacy, Treacy's Pharmacy
Roscommon Locations
- Ballaghaderreen – Molloy's Pharmacy
- Boyle – Natural Options Pharmacy
- Castlerea – Kearney's Chemist, Tully's Pharmacy
- Elphin – Elphin Pharmacy
- Roscommon Town – Hynes Pharmacy, McGuinness Pharmacy, Molloy's Pharmacy, Rosmed Pharmacy
- Strokestown – McDonnell's Pharmacy