Free Heart Health Screening at Roscommon Mart a huge success!

On Friday 08 February the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service at Roscommon Hospital along with Croí West of Ireland Heart and Stroke Centre, offered free heart health screening for farmers at the Roscommon livestock Mart.
 
The free cardiac risk assessment included a pulse check, blood pressure check, weight and body mass index measurement and dietary and physical assessment.
 
Deirdre O'Reilly and Rosemary Thorpe, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Specialists at Roscommon Hospital, were among the cardiac nurse specialists at the mart. Deirdre said, "We were delighted with the turn out - 74 people availed of the free heart health screening and it is possible that these are people who would not have otherwise taken the time to visit their GP for a quick check up.”
 
Colleen Kneafsey, Caroline Kelly and Ailish Houlihan from the Croí West of Ireland Heart and Stroke Centre emphasised the importance of screening and making lifestyle changes based on the advice given cannot be underestimated. For anyone who didn’t get a chance to get to Roscommon Mart last week is that it is always good to check in regularly with your GP.
 
The cardiac nurse specialists from Croí West of Ireland Heart and Stroke Centre and Roscommon Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Department wished to increase public knowledge and awareness about importance of controlling risk factors for the prevention of heart disease. On visiting Roscommon mart they offered members of the public the opportunity to have a cardiovascular health screen carried out to identify and discuss any risk factor for heart disease they may have.
 
The message from Croí Heart and Stroke Centre and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, at Roscommon Hospital is that healthy lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
 
Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. To lower risk:
• Watch your weight – keep it within healthy parameters.
• Quit smoking and stay away from second-hand smoke.
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get active and eat healthy.
 
Photo Details:
Staff from Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at Roscommon Hospital and Croí, West of Ireland Heart and Stroke Centre who provided free heart health screening to 74 people at the Roscommon Mart on Friday 08 February. From left: Deirdre O’Reilly and Rosemary Thorpe, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse Specialists at Roscommon Hospital and Croí West of Ireland Heart and Stroke Centre Cardiac Nurse Specialists: Colleen Kneafsey, Caroline Kelly and Ailish Houlihan.