IRISH HEART WEEK: September 22nd - 28th 2008
The Irish Heart Foundation's Irish Heart Week will focus on blood pressure and keeping it at a healthy level. The campaign will emphasise how important it is to know your blood pressure level and to keep it at a normal level to reduce the overall risk of heart disease and stroke. If blood pressure is over the recommended levels for health then you need to manage it with your doctor. The good news is that this can be done very well through lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, cutting down on salt, getting more active or losing weight and medication.
High blood pressure is very common in people aged over 45. A recent Irish survey showed that 34% of men and women had high blood pressure but were not on medication to control it. Another 18% were on medication but their blood pressure was still high. Only 40% of Irish men and women over the age of 45 had normal blood pressure levels.
Promoting Irish Heart Week
The Irish Heart Foundation is asking you to support the campaign by promoting blood pressure awareness during Irish Heart Week. You can:
- Display Irish Heart Week promotional materials
- Circulate flyers and information on the week and your plans for promotion
- Promote lifestyle changes which can reduce high blood pressure, such as salt awareness or physical activity
To order free Irish Heart Week Promotional Materials
If you would like to order our free Irish Heart Week materials please call or email Catherine Laffan on (01) 668 5001 or email heartweek@irishheart.ie
- Magazine, attractive full colour 24-page consumer magazine with feature articles on blood pressure using case studies and interviews with poctors and patients, tips on healthy eating and getting active
- Posters promoting blood pressure awareness (A3 size)
- Leaflet all about Blood Pressure - (DL size - 4 page)
- Salt leaflet and other Heart Health information leaflets