Ireland: Heart Disease Deaths Drop By Half.

Research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reports that deaths from coronary artery heart disease in Ireland has reduced by almost half since the Mid 1980s. This is attributed mainly to lifestyle changes, and reduction in smoking, the study reveals.

Deaths from coronary artery disease in Ireland, dropped by almost 47%, between 1985 and 2000, among ages 25 to 84, and this meant nearly 3800 fewer deaths when compared to figures in 1985. This drop was because of better and timely health treatment and cessation of smoking that contributed to nearly 48% of the reduction in the rates.

The smoking cessation programmes received an impetus, after ban on workplace smoking in Ireland, that was enforced in 2004. Smoking rates have certainly dropped in Ireland, as compared to United Kingdom or any other developed country.

But there has been an increase in rates of obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle is marked with little or nil physical activity, that threatens to swing these healthy signs by around 13% or 500 deaths. The authors have advised that if lifestyle changes are not seriously made, the tables will certainly be turned on the health advantages made in Ireland.