Heart failure awareness roadshow coming to Athlone next week

A national campaign to drive public awareness of heart failure and promote early detection, is coming to Athlone next week.

Golden Island Shopping Centre car park will host a pop-up ‘Heart Failure Awareness Roadshow’ on Monday, April 27, from 10.30am to 2.30pm as part of a blitz by three heart organisations to raise understanding of the serious condition.

It will also demonstrate how patients can be supported to get their lives back on track post-diagnosis.

Heart failure is a serious health condition which affects one in five adults and is the leading cause of hospitalisation in over 65s.

Members of the public visiting the Athlone event will be offered free blood pressure and heart health checks in the Irish Heart Foundation and Croí mobile health units, where specialist heart failure nurses will be on hand to offer advice on recognising the signs and symptoms, information on living with heart failure and signposting the public to local support services.

European Heart Failure Awareness Week begins on April 27, running until May 3, and focuses on the theme ‘Awareness today, Protection tomorrow’.

The two-week long countrywide roadshow of events across nine locations, marking Heart Failure Awareness Week, is being co-ordinated by the Irish Heart Foundation, Ireland’s national charity for stroke and heart disease prevention, Croí heart and stroke charity, and the Irish Association of Heart Failure Nurses.

Knowledge and symptom recognition of heart failure remains low among the general public.

“Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped, it means it is not pumping blood as effectively as it should,” said Dr Angie Brown, Medical Director at the Irish Heart Foundation.

“Neither does it mean the end of life: with early diagnosis, treatment, and support, people can live well.

“Awareness of heart failure symptoms and how the condition can be managed is low. This is why raising awareness at a community level is critical.

“By meeting people on streets, in shopping centres and local hubs, we can make heart health information more accessible and impactful.”

One patient who is now living a healthier life after treatment is Laois resident, Nicholas Hines, 47.

He suffered a stroke and hospital tests revealed underlying dilated cardiomyopathy and sarcoidosis, serious conditions affecting heart function and overall health.

He later received specialist treatment for advanced heart failure but despite intensive medical management, his condition progressed, and in 2024, he underwent a heart transplant that transformed his life.

Two years on, he describes his recovery as life-changing.

Heart failure affects an estimated 137,000 people in Ireland and 10,000 new cases are diagnosed every year, but experts say it remains overlooked and often misunderstood.

The campaign by the three organisations aims to change that by educating the public on crucial warning signs including breathlessness, fatigue, swollen ankles or legs and rapid weight gain —while encouraging people to better protect their heart health.

“Heart failure can be a life-altering condition, but with early diagnosis and the right support, people can live well,” said Dr Lisa Hynes, Head of Health Programmes at Croí.

“Through this campaign and our community roadshow, we want to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to recognise symptoms early and seek help.”

The campaign also highlights the essential role of specialist heart failure nurses in improving patient outcomes and providing ongoing care and support.

“Heart failure nurses are at the frontline of patient care,” said Emer Burke, Heart Failure Nurse Specialist and President of the Irish Association of Heart Failure Nurses.

“This initiative not only raises awareness but also showcases the importance of expert-led, patient-centred care.”

Heart Failure Awareness Week in Ireland runs from April 27 to May 3. For further information on dates, times and locations, visit: www.croi.ie and www.irishheart.ie