Irish Heart Foundation’s Mobile Health Unit marks second anniversary with 22,000 blood pressure checks.

In the last two years the Irish Heart Foundation’s Mobile Health Unit has provided blood pressure checks to more than 20,000 people, almost a third of who were found to be at risk for high blood pressure and referred to their GP.

Today (Wednesday 13 June 2018) marks the second anniversary of the Irish Heart Foundation’s Mobile Health Unit, which for the past two years has been supported by Bank of Ireland and Medtronic.

To date the unit has provided free blood pressure checks for 22,000 people from every county across Ireland.

From Men’s Sheds to Farmers’ Marts, libraries, public events and family resource centres, the Irish Heart Foundation’s Mobile Health Unit has travelled the width and breath of the country offering free blood pressure checks and lifestyle advice.

Participants are offered a blood pressure check and brief individual lifestyle advice by an Irish Heart Foundation nurse. Those with a high blood pressure reading are advised to see their GP for further investigation.

Every year 10 million people die worldwide due to high blood pressure.

High blood pressure or hypertension is the leading contributing risk factor for global death causing strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications.

According to Irish Heart Foundation Health Check Manager Marese Damery, “Hypertension also known as the ‘silent killer’ affects one million people in Ireland and often goes undetected as many of those who suffer from high blood pressure often feel fine.”

“Only half of people with high blood pressure know that they have the condition and we would advise people over the age of 30 to have it checked at least once a year,” she added.

Keep an eye on our Mobile Health Unit schedule and avail of your free blood pressure test. All it takes is 10 minutes and it could save your life.