Earl Evleth

Although the number of deaths from heart attack and stroke in Ireland has
dropped in the past 30 years, cardiovascular disease is still one of the
biggest killers in Ireland, accounting for 42% of all deaths.

Overall, the total figure has fallen by almost a quarter, from 17,371 in
1968 to 13,191 in 1998. The death rate for Ireland from heart disease is the
highest in Europe, however, at 52 per 100,000 population. This is almost
twice the EU average of 27 per 100,000. In the UK, which has the second
highest level, the rate is 42 per 100,000. France has the lowest death
rate at 13 per 100,000 population.

Of the 6876 deaths from heart attack (ischaemic heart disease) in Ireland
in 1999, 3,891 were male and 2,985 were female. The lower figure for women
reflects the fact that they are protected from heart disease by the hormone
oestrogen until after the menopause.

The vast majority of deaths from heart attack were among the 65 years and
over age group, but just over 13% were among the 45-64 year age group.
Interestingly, stroke accounted for 2,693 deaths, with 1,120 men and 1,573
women dying from this cause in 1999.