As many as one in three adults over 40 years of age in Co. Mayo are obese according to a report launched this week by Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation in collaboration with HSE West Mayo Primary Community and Continuing Care Department.

The report outlines the findings of a year long programme known as ‘Heart Smart' Mayo which is a nurse led, community based, cardiac risk factor screening programme. A total of 1,541 people availed of ‘free-of-charge' cardiac screening and risk assessments. Almost half of this group (46%) were overweight with 33% being classified as obese. This is a very significant finding says the report's author, Ailish Houlihan who points out that "a recent national survey (SLÁN) found that 25% of the Irish population were obese, thus showing that the Mayo population are poorer than the national average".

Pictured at the launch of the ‘Heart Smart’ Mayo Report are, L-R: Ailish Houlihan, Croí 'Heart Smart' Co-ordinator; Kathy McSharry, HSE West; Thelma Birrane, Mayo PCCC, HSE West; Dr. Jim Crowley, Consultant Cardiologist, UHG; Eithne Garrick, Mayo PCCC, HSE West; Neil Johnson, Chief Executive, Croí; Laurence Gaughan, Mayo PCCC, HSE West; Irene Gibson, Croi.

The ‘Heart Smart' Mayo report also reveals startling findings across other risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Almost half (49%) the participants had raised cholesterol (above the recommended levels) and 40% had raised blood pressure. In total, almost two thirds (64%) of all participants were referred to their general practitioner with as many as 7% requiring urgent medical attention for either raised blood pressure or raised blood sugar levels. Taken together, the findings of this report show that as many as one in five Mayo people over the age of 40 are classified as ‘high risk' for a fatal cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke.

The ‘Heart Smart' Mayo programme visited communities last year throughout Co. Mayo and provided the opportunity for free screening to individuals in their places of work or leisure, meeting people in venues as varied as libraries, community centres, marts etc. Participants were given advice by nurse specialists and referred to their general practitioner as required.

Six months later, they were invited back to their original venue for a follow-up visit and as many as 8 out of 10 returned. This brief intervention showed that almost two thirds of participants took action and attended their GP as advised. Significant reductions in cholesterol and blood pressure were achieved over the 6-month period, with 16% reducing their cholesterol to the recommended target levels, and 29% reducing their blood pressure to target. Almost two thirds reported improvements to their diet and a third reported improvement in the duration and intensity of their exercise levels.

Pictured at the launch of the 'Heart Smart' Mayo Report are, L-R: Laurence Gaughan,Mayo PCCC, HSE West; Ailish Houlihan, Croí 'Heart Smart' Co-ordinator; Martin Greaney, Mayo PCCC, HSE West; Dr. Jim Crowley, Consultant Cardiologist, UHG

Speaking at the launch of the report, Croí Medical Director, Dr. Jim Crowley highlighted the significance of the ‘Heart Smart' Mayo Initiative saying that "this project has identified individuals at very high risk of heart attack and stroke. The high referral rate to general practice and more importantly, the significant number of people who followed through and sought further medical advice demonstrated the value of the initiative. The findings that changes were achieved in blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diet and exercise, highlight the value of prevention programmes such as this."

The report's author, Ailish Houlihan, commented that "the prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke remains a challenge for all of us." She went on to say that "to save lives however in Co. Mayo, there is an urgent need to promote and implement comprehensive lifestyle and behaviour change programmes encouraging healthy eating and risk factor management. There are recognised cardio protective targets for risk factors such as, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugars, weight, diet and exercise. It is believed that 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable: but we need urgent and committed action at every level to literally save lives."

The Croí ‘Heart Smart' Programme was developed by local heart charity Croí in response to the need for a community based high-risk, early intervention programme. The ‘Heart Smart' Mayo project is a collaboration between Croí and Mayo Primary Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) and to date the project has been supported by HSE Innovation funding and Croí.