Westmeath TD's support inaugural Heart and Stroke Oireachtas Group
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Professor Emer Joyce, Consultant Heart Function and Transplant Cardiologist at The Mater Hospital and Dr Eamonn O’Shea GP, HSE/ICGP Integrated Care GP Clinical Lead Cardiovascular with the Irish College of General Practitioners at the Heart and Stroke Oireachtas Group meeting, set up by the Irish Heart Foundation. Pic Justin FarrellyImage 2 of 2
Dr Eamonn O’Shea, GP, HSE/ICGP Integrated Care GP Clinical Lead Cardiovascular with the Irish College of General Practitioners, Professor Emer Joyce, Consultant Heart Function and Transplant Cardiologist at The Mater Hospital, Emma Balmaine, CEO, Irish Heart Foundation and Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy and Patient Support at the Heart and Stroke Oireachtas Group meeting, set up by the Irish Heart Foundation. Pic Justin FarrellyTDs and Senators from Westmeath took part in a public health support, during the Oireachtas Heart and Stroke group meeting regarding heart failure at Leinster House on Monday, July 2.
Peter Burke, Micheál Carrigy and Senator Paul Daly have called for the estimated 2,579 people living with heart failure in Westmeath to receive more access to cardiac rehabilitation and help ease the financial burdens caused by this condition.
During the event, members heard from heart failure patients Stephen Comerford and Teresa O’Hanlon, as well as Consultant Heart Function and Transplant Cardiologist at the Mater Hospital, Dr Eamonn O’Shea.
The group spoke about this rapidly growing cardiac condition, which affects around 137,000 people who live with heart failure in Ireland.
Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy with the Irish Heart Foundation, said: “Half of all admissions are due to poor self-care and are therefore largely preventable.
“Heart failure patients, along with others living with heart disease and stroke, need more help to address the psychological impact of their condition, the financial hardship that can result and gain greater access to rehabilitation services.
“The purpose of this new group is to ensure that services and supports for people affected by cardiovascular disease are prioritised in Westmeath and indeed, across the country.”