Almost a quarter of people who used a mobile health unit to have a heart health check were advised to see their GP for further assessment, a report has revealed. And in one case, a patient’s blood pressure reading was so high that they ended up in an emergency department.
The Irish Heart Foundation’s Mobile Health Unit, supported since 2022 by Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, travels the country offering free heart health checks, including blood pressure, pulse checks, and lifestyle assessment.
In 2024, the charity’s nurse-led vehicle provided 6,000 free checks to communities and groups across the 26 counties. But when researchers from South East Technological University (SETU) evaluated the Unit’s effectiveness, they found that dozens of patients needed further check-ups after the health check nurse identified signs of high blood pressure (BP).
High BP, ‘the silent killer’ is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, the main cause of death globally. A sample of 300 men and women who used the Mobile Health Unit showed that more than a fifth (22.1 per cent) were found to have high BP, while almost double that number (42.9 per cent) had BP considered higher than normal.
Moreover, some 39.5 per cent reported having no prior awareness of their BP levels and almost a quarter (23.2 per cent) were referred to their GP based on the readings.
Six weeks later, 182 participants completed a follow-up questionnaire over the phone, which revealed that of those who were referred to their doctor, 28.2 per cent underwent additional testing, such as using an ambulatory BP monitor.
A total of 10.3 per cent received a diagnosis of high BP and began taking medication, while 2.6 per cent went to the emergency department due to dangerously high BP levels.
The Mobile Health Unit checks also inspired lifestyle changes: 20.9 per cent made dietary improvements; almost 20 per cent became more physically active; 1.1 per cent quit smoking; and the same proportion reduced or avoided alcohol.
Janis Morrissey, Director of Health Promotion, Information, and Training with the Irish Heart Foundation, said the findings underline the importance of the charity’s work in identifying people at high risk of heart disease and stroke.
“The findings from the SETU report are crucial, as 80 per cent of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable,” she said. “The Mobile Health Unit service plays a vital role in identifying people at risk.
“Unfortunately, what you don’t know could kill you as high blood pressure, in the vast majority of cases, has no symptoms. The good news is that, once diagnosed, it is easily managed. Everyone aged over 30 should get checked every five years and a GP can assess risk levels and may advise more frequent checks.
“We rely on the generosity of the general public and corporates like Pfizer Healthcare Ireland to be able to provide the Mobile Health Unit service.”
Country Manager of Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Deb Mangone, said: “Pfizer is delighted to support this worthwhile initiative, and it is very rewarding to see the positive impact the Mobile Health Unit is having on the lives of patients across Ireland who may otherwise not have accessed health services or treatment.”
For more information on the Mobile Health Unit, visit irishheart.ie.
