High-Risk Prevention Programme in the Community  

According to the World Health Organisation 80% of all heart disease and stroke is preventable through lifestyle change. 

The Irish Heart Foundation’s High-Risk Prevention Programme (HRPP) is a behaviour change programme designed to increase the positive effect of the HSE’s Chronic Disease Management programme.  

Under the Chronic Disease Management programme, those at high-risk of cardiovascular disease are entitled to one annual GP visit and one practice nurse visit. Research shows that high-risk patients require further support to actively manage their risk to developing heart disease and stroke. 

Our programme is based in the community and works with GP’s, providing patients at high-risk of heart disease and stroke with education, ongoing support and resources to help reduce their risk. We aim to help individuals live a healthier life and reduce the burden on the primary care in the long term. 

In 2024 the programme is open to referrals from General Practices in: 

• North City Dublin (North inner city, Cabra and Finglas)
• West Dublin (Clondalkin and Tallaght)
• Wexford town and County
• Bray and surrounding areas 

The High-Risk Prevention Programme consists of: 

• Six weekly one-to-one sessions with a Health Promotion Practitioner 
• Three follow-up consults over the following year to help maintain newly developed habits 
• Patients have access to health education groups hosted in their community by the Irish Heart Foundation
• Online supports through social media groups administered by the Irish Heart Foundation 

Throughout the programme patients are aided in addressing risk factors to chronic disease and education on the impact of behaviours and positive lifestyle changes and their health. Consults are carried out face to face, via video call or over the phone, dependent on patients’ preference.   

How to refer or be referred  

Healthcare professionals  

GP’s and Practice nurse can use the Healthlinks portal to refer to the Irish Heart Foundation’s High-Risk Prevention Programme.  

Patients with a GMS / GP visit card holder  

If you are worried about your heart health and feel you need guidance around managing your risk of heart disease and stroke visit your GP and ask to be referred to the Irish Heart Foundation’s High–Risk Prevention Programme. 

Patient criteria for referral

If you have any questions about your patient’s suitability for the programme please contact the High-Risk Prevention Manager at 087 396 1532 or hrpp@irishheart.ie   

What to expect after referral is made

Our Health Promotion Practitioner will contact the patients inside 2 weeks of receipt of referral via phone to organise their first consultation.  

Programme Experiences     

Patients who have taken part in the programme have reported improved knowledge of how to better manage their health issues such as blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol. They also highlighted the benefit of the intervention being carried out at their local GP practice. 

Practice Nurses Experiences   

“I had a patient come into me today for a check and he is doing brilliant, has lost a stone in 8 weeks. Blood pressure hugely improved and overall he feels a new person. You know its such great motivation to see them embrace it and see the health benefits. He said that no one had ever taken any interest in his health before and found alone motivational.” 

Patients Experiences  

“Personally, I liked the one-to-one aspect of it and being explained all at one-to-one level and just building up that relationship with somebody just to explain things to you by yourself.” – Mary, 58, Dublin 

“I’m doing a lot more walking and am making sure to eat fruit every day – I’m feeling great. The Irish Heart Foundation has given me a new lease on life. Only for them, I’d be sitting back doing nothing.” – Seamus, 62, Wexford