Heart disease survey exposes cholesterol ignorance
Only 5% of adults aged 40 and over know the recommended level of cholesterol, a survey uncovers today.
A majority of those, some 69%, don’t know what normal blood pressure level is. High levels of either are linked to the leading cause of death in Ireland - heart disease.
This is despite most people having had both their cholesterol and blood pressure checked within the last five years, according to the research.
The survey of over 1000 adults, aged 40 and over, was carried out over the telephone in a nationally-representative survey for drugs company Pfizer Healthcare Ireland.
The firm is launching a public awareness campaign about heart disease and stroke, with particular emphasis on the role high cholesterol plays in more than a third of all Irish deaths.
Dr Brian Maurer, Medical Director, the Irish Heart Foundation, said it is crucial that Irish people know what the risk factors are and make some changes to their life to help protect themselves.
“A person with any question about cholesterol, high blood pressure, or any aspect of heart disease should talk to their doctor who would be happy to help,” he said.
Some 89% of those polled knew the risks of smoking, and half knew the dangers of being overweight, but a minority linked cholesterol (17%) and high blood pressure (26%) to heart disease and stroke.
Dr Eamonn Shanahan, Chairman, Irish College of General Practitioners, said increased understanding and knowledge will empower people in the fight against heart disease.
“If you haven’t done so already, have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked and talk to your doctor about the results and other ways to have a healthy heart,” he urged.
Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show 10,608 people died from cardiovascular disease in 2004. That’s 38% of all deaths, ahead of deaths from cancer at 27%.
Medical guidelines recommend a total cholesterol level less than or equal to 5mmol/l. A general figure for normal blood pressure is a pressure below 140/90 mmHg.
Both high cholesterol and high blood pressure are treatable medical conditions.
