One in three deaths in Ireland caused by cardiovascular disease
Galway Chamber is partnering with Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac & Stroke Foundation, to promote cardiovascular health for the month of September. It is estimated that one in three deaths every year in Ireland (36%) can be attributed to cardiovascular disease, with approximately 10,000 people dying on an annual basis around the country.
Despite these worrying figures, the good news is that up to 80% of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, can be prevented by making lifestyle changes and modifying risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking.
Galway Chamber and Croí, the Heart & Stroke Charity, will promote a ‘workplace wellness programme’ to all businesses across Galway. The aim of this campaign is to support healthier working environments, by promoting workplace health initiatives that can improve well-being and deliver a wide range of benefits for both employers and their workforce.
Croí will host a special heart health event for Galway Chamber members with a range of content focused on cardiovascular health and prevention will be shared on social media throughout the month.
The campaign also aligns with World Heart Month which aims to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy heart and to encourage, educate and empower individuals and communities to develop healthy habits that help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Speaking about the campaign, Galway Chamber CEO, Kenny Deery, said, “In all the hustle and bustle of modern workplaces, it can be difficult to take the time to consider our health – especially our heart health. Yet, the figures show that cardiovascular-related issues are the leading cause of death in Ireland. The majority of these deaths could be prevented if more people put greater focus and time into looking after their wellbeing, into removing the risk factors from their lives and making the necessary lifestyle changes.
“I know this is something that I am trying to do myself. I hope over the course of this campaign we will be able to encourage more members of the Galway business community to tackle this vital area and to give their heart health the focus it deserves”, he said.
“At the advent of World Heart Month we thought it was important to encourage more of corporate Galway to take the issue of heart health seriously,” said Mark O’Donnell, Head of Foundation and Chief Operating Officer with Croí. “So many people spend a significant portion of their lives in the workplace and we believe this is a key means for reaching people in an environment that will make a difference to shaping their overall health.
“We want to work with businesses to help them manage wellness in their workplaces and to help individuals to make the lifestyle changes that will benefit their health and prolong their lives. Taking care of our heart health is in the interests of both companies and their employees, a message we will be pressing home with the Galway business community through the course of this campaign”, Mr O’Donnell added.
For more information on supports available to Galway businesses from Croí, email info@croi.ie or phone 091-544310.