The Croí health team recently carried out over 65 Heart Health checks over the three nights as part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities project in Bangor, Teach Greannaí and Ballycroy in County Mayo.
In 2021, Sláintecare Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health, working with the HSE and local authorities and community agencies, launched the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme to provide increased health and wellbeing services in 19 community areas across Ireland. An evidenced based process identified local areas in which health and wellbeing risk factors are particularly concentrated and where particular initiatives will be delivered to help promote and improve the overall health and wellbeing of people in those communities.
These initiatives will be delivered through partnership working with a range of partners (HSE, local authorities and community groups) working together to provide dedicated services to build lasting improvements in health and wellbeing.
From these checks the Croí Health Team learned:
- 79% of individuals attended were over the age of 55 years.
- 59% of individuals presented with a high blood pressure reading and were referred for follow up.
- 71% individuals had a BP check within last 12 months.
- 29% individuals had a BP check over 12 months ago.
- 29% of those checked had a previous diagnosis of high blood pressure.
- 6 individuals were referred to their GP immediately due to their high blood pressure reading.
- 3 individuals were referred to their GP following detection of an irregular heart rate.
Madeline Rabbitt, Nurse Lead, Croí Third Age Mayo Project, shares, “Croí are delighted to collaborate with the HSE on the Sláintecare Healthy Communities project. These findings really highlight the importance of community health initiatives in addressing the risk factors for heart disease and stroke. We hope the people of Mayo will continue to be proactive about their Heart Health and to Own it, Check it, Sort it.”
