The Government has been urged to immediately develop a new national strategy on cardiovascular health akin to that in place for Cancer.
Croí, the heart and stroke charity, said the strategy should be in place by 2025, with review and evaluation taking place every five years. It also called for a ring-fenced multi-annual budget for cardiovascular health, the appointment of a dedicated policy lead for cardiovascular health in the Department of Health, with clear accountability to the Minister for Health and the establishment of a Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Implementation Taskforce.
“Cardiovascular Disease is the biggest annual cause of death and disability globally, with over 9,000 people in Ireland losing their lives as a result of cardiovascular disease each year. The disease is responsible for 40% of all hospital admissions, and 75% of all bed days in hospitals. Despite this, Ireland’s last national cardiovascular health strategy expired in 2019, with no evaluation or renewal,” it stated.
