SEPTEMBER 2006

Is living in Donegal good for your heart?

It has been revealed in the results of a national heart health screening campaign run by Ireland's leading heart health brand, Flora pro.activ, in association with BUPA Ireland. that in Donegal 16% of those tested had a cholesterol level greater than 5, which is the maximum recommended by health professionals.

The national survey figures suggested that Donegal may be the healthiest county as nationally one third of the population has higher than normal cholesterol and blood pressure. The screening campaign found that overall 33.3% of people had a cholesterol level greater than 5 and 31% had a blood pressure reading of 140/90. In Donegal 21.5% of those who took part in the heart screening check had higher than normal blood pressure.

The Flora and BUPA Ireland heart health screening unit tested over 3,000 people across 33 major towns and cities all over Ireland from May to July. Its objective was to take a snapshot of Ireland's heart health and at the same time to encourage people to take responsibility for good heart management. A staggering one in three tested had never had their blood pressure or cholesterol checked before.

When the results were broken down by age and sex, it was found that women were more likely to have high cholesterol than men, with 36% of women testing higher than 5.0mmol/1 compared with 29% of men. 42% of those aged over 50 had high cholesterol, compared with just 14% of those aged between 25 and 35 and 33% of those aged between 35 and 50 years.

Analysis of blood pressure readings show a significantly higher proportion of men (87%) had above normal levels when compared to women (68%). Those in the over 50 age bracket were more likely to have a blood pressure level above 140/90.

The campaign also illustrated the differences in heart health county by county. While the screening programme found that nationally on average 33.3% of people had raised cholesterol, there were significant differences regionally. Mayo came out worst with 63% of those tested registering levels of above 5, followed by Tipperary at 52%, Offaly at 48%, Sligo at 46% and Westmeath at 42%. Tied in second lowest place were Carlow and Laois at 17%, followed by Galway at 20% and Leitrim at 23%.

An additional survey commissioned by Flora for the launch of the screening campaign, highlighted that a staggering 71% of Irish adults are not aware of what their cholesterol level should be. The survey showed also that over two thirds of Irish adults do not know the parameters for a healthy blood pressure reading. Optimal blood pressure is less than or equal to 120/80 mmHg; normal is less than or equal to 130/85 and high is less than or equal to 140/90. Of the survey sample 20% currently had high blood pressure and of these the vast majority 86%, are taking medication for their condition. More worryingly only 30% of respondents said they were reducing salt intake and increasing fruit and vegetable in take to help reduce their blood pressure.

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