1. Heart disease is the most common cause of death in Ireland

It accounts for a whopping 36% of all deaths. Approximately 10,000 people die each year from some form of cardiovascular disease.

2. Number 1 cause of death for women

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, responsible for 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year.

3. 1 in 4

1 in 4 people will die from heart disease or stroke in Ireland.

4. 4 forms of heart disease

The four main forms of heart disease are a heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia and heart valve problems.

5. Lifestyle changes

Simple lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of ever experiencing heart disease, and if you already have experienced it then it can help lower your risk of it happening again. For example: quitting smoking, eating more healthily and being more physically active.

6. Exercise

People who do not exercise are twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who exercise regularly.

7. Increase in figures

By 2020, the number of people in Ireland with heart disease is set to increase by 40%.

8. Stroke-related disability

There are currently over 30,000 people in Ireland living with a stroke-related disability. One-fifth of these cannot walk as a result and half require assistance with daily living activities, such as washing and dressing.

9. Global scale of heart disease

On a global scale, the World Health Organisation estimates that 17 million people die every year as a result of cardiovascular disease, particularly heart attacks and stroke. This represents almost one-third of all deaths globally.