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An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, Covidien's President of Manufacturing, Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions, Donal Balfe, and sons of the late Father Ted actor Dermot Morgan, Don (centre), Rob (right) and Ben (left) and Irish Heart Foundation nurse Mary Rose Jordan. Mar Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Health
Father Ted star's sons join Taoiseach to launch blood pressure roadshow
A free roadshow will help 3,000 adults across the country learn whether or not they suffer from high blood pressure.
A HEALTH ROADSHOW was launched today that will see adults across the country able to avail of free blood pressure testing.
The late Father Ted star Dermot Morgan’s sons Don, Rob and Ben were on hand to launch the Irish Heart Foundation’s Blood Pressure Roadshow, which will visit locations across the country over the coming weeks.
According to the IHF, six out of 10 Irish adults over the age of 45 – 945,000 people- are affected by high blood pressure. Those with uncontrolled high blood pressure are three times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
The roadshow is supported by medical devices group Covidien, and the Taoiseach says that the initiative will save lives.
“Cardiovascular disease is a serious problem in this country and it is through initiatives like this one that we can continue to raise awareness and provide information on the changes people can make to take better care of their health.”
The joint road show by the Irish Heart Foundation and Covidien will visit up to 30 locations around the country with a target of at least 3,000 free blood pressure checks given to the public.
Professor Alice Stanton from the Irish Heart Foundation Blood Pressure Council, explained that the silent nature of high blood pressure means adults can only know if they have the condition by getting it checked.
“[It] often has no symptoms so that a person can feel fine and look fine but on the inside, silent damage is happening to blood vessels which can lead to serious health problems like heart attack, stroke and heart or kidney failure.”
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