GALWAY BUCKS NATIONAL TREND IN HEART DISEASE DEATHS

Date Published: 28-Aug-2008

Galway is bucking the national trend in relation to deaths from heart disease and stroke.There's been a drop of 11 per cent in the number of people dying from heart disease in Galway, compared to an increase of 3 per cent across the rest of the country, according to the latest CSO figures. 522 people died from heart disease and stroke in the city and county last year compared to 587 in 2006.Nationally, 269 more people died from Ireland's biggest killer in 2007 compared to 2006. The Irish Heart Foundation is warning that this is mainly due to obesity, a lack of physical activity, diabetes and hypertension. Chief Executive Michael O' Shea says smokers are two to three times more at risk of having a heart attack compared to non-smokers.