02/09/2026
Meet the Irish Heart Foundation team at the 50 Plus Show Cork next week.
‘Love Your Heart’ campaign,
If you're living in Cork or anywhere across the Munster region, be sure to call to the Irish Heart Foundation stand. It's a great opportunity to learn more about heart health, stroke prevention, the supports available from the Foundation, and the simple lifestyle changes that can help protect your heart for years to come.
Whether you're looking for information for yourself, a family member or a friend, the team will be delighted to answer your questions and offer advice.
Take a few minutes to invest in your future health. Your heart will thank you for it.
For more information visit 👉 irishheart.ie
A man who suffered a heart attack, heart disease and had to have 19 stents inserted, has urged people to take stock of their heart health and take small steps to help reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.
Mark Sherry, 68, was a healthy father-of-two before sudden chest pains during a gym session when he was in his forties sparked off a series of cardiac issues which has significantly changed his life.
“I thought I’d be gone at this stage but I’m doing better than I had anticipated,” he said as the Irish Heart Foundation launched its ‘Love Your Heart’ campaign, focusing on eight lifestyle measures which can dramatically lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Around 16 people have a heart attack in Ireland every day, and a further 20 have a stroke.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in both men and women - accounting for a quarter of all deaths – but 80% of early heart disease and stroke is preventable through lifestyle changes.
Mr Sherry, an accountant from Delgany, Co Wicklow received his first stent after experiencing intense chest pain and shortness of breath while at his local gym in 2006.
A cardiologist identified blockages in his main coronary artery and he was diagnosed with heart disease.
A decade later in 2016, he was horse riding alone and experienced a ‘full blown heart attack’.
“It was all very traumatic. I spent two weeks in the hospital, and on reflection, I don’t feel that I dealt with the psychological side of the event very well.
“At the time, like a lot of people, men especially, I bottled it up and just wanted to get back to work.”
He later changed his career, confronting an 'unsustainable' stressful lifestyle, has improved his diet, is physically active, and cut out alcohol completely.
Since 2006, Mark has been under regular medical supervision and has required ongoing interventions, resulting in the placement of 19 stents.
Now working in the National Museum of Ireland as Head of Finance and Procurement, he said his outcome would have been much worse without the intervention of his cardiology team, cardiac rehab at St Vincent’s University Hospital and support from the Irish Heart Foundation’s Nurse Support Line and Heart Support Facebook Group.
The national stroke and heart charity says it wants to empower the public to be aware of eight small steps which can deliver profound benefits to cardiovascular health.
They include managing stress, eating for a healthy heart, moving more, quitting smoking and va**ng, monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, aiming for your best weight, drinking less alcohol and taking your prescribed medication.
"A total of 75% of people who had heart attacks in Ireland between 2017 and 2020 did not know they had any risk factors, so were completely oblivious to the dangers," said Janis Morrissey, Deputy CEO and Director of Services, at the charity.
"Everyone has the power to prevent serious heart events by taking steps now. We recognise that heart health is shaped by many factors beyond individual choice, including where we grow up and our access to green spaces, clean air, education and healthcare. But we'd urge the public to make small changes where possible, it is an investment but a massive return on your future heart health."
Mr Sherry backed the call and encouraged everyone to 'love your heart as we only have one'.
"I didn't realise how shocked I was from having a heart attack; I really underestimated that and the impact it had on my wife and my kids.
“Many of us might think we are bulletproof, and I know I could have reduced the risk of this happening to me.
“I had no indication that there was anything wrong.
“Following these steps could mean the difference between a healthy, functioning heart or a lifetime of checks, stents, scans and major life changes.”
Sarah O'Brien, HSE, Healthy Eating & Active Living Programme, Health & Wellbeing, said: “Every September, the Irish Heart Foundation’s Heart Month initiative puts the spotlight on the importance of preventing heart disease and stroke.
“This new campaign is very welcome. With a broad focus on increasing awareness of the eight steps we can take to reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke, it is relevant to everyone of us.
“And is a timely prompt to pause, take stock and learn more about the smalls steps we can take to improve our health now and into the future. It is also an opportunity to find out about the supports available from the Irish Heart Foundation and HSE to help with moving more, quitting smoking, eating healthier, reducing alcohol and managing stress.”
Find out more at: irishheart.ie
Senior Times LIVE Doro UK & Ireland Expressway
