What is the Irish Heart Foundation?
The Irish Heart Foundation is the national charity fighting stroke and heart disease, funded up to 90 per cent by public and corporate donations.

Our Vision
Our vision is that every person living in Ireland will live a long, active and healthy life free from heart, stroke and blood vessel disease.
 
Our Mission
Our mission is to lead in improving the cardiovascular health of people living in Ireland so they do not experience disability or die from preventable heart, stroke and other blood vessel diseases.

What Does the Irish Heart Foundation Do?
The Irish Heart Foundation:

• Provides information on heart health to the public and media
• Supports patients in managing heart disease and stroke
• Provides heart health programmes in schools and workplaces
• Co-ordinates the training of medics and the public in emergency lifesaving skills (CPR)
• Supports research, education and development in the medical profession
• Advocates better patient treatment and services
  

We are a member of:

The European Heart Network

The World Heart Federation

Heart disease - Ireland's No.1 Killer
Approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD) - including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and other circulatory diseases. CVD is the most common cause of death in Ireland, accounting for 36% of all deaths. The largest number of these deaths relate to CHD - mainly heart attack - at 5,000. 22% of premature deaths (under age 65) are from CVD.

Stroke
Each year, approximately 10,000 Irish people have a stroke and around 2,000 die – more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer combined. An estimated 30,000 people are living in the community with disabilities as a result of a stroke. This makes stroke the third biggest cause of death in Ireland and the biggest cause of acquired disability. In April 2008, the Irish Heart Foundation commissioned the first national audit on stroke care and it confirmed that between 350 and 500 lives could be saved annually if stroke units were introduced into Irish hospitals. In November 2009, the Irish Heart Foundation launched its Stroke Manifesto calling for urgent action to overhaul stroke services. Join the Irish Heart Foundation’s campaign today for better stroke services . 

History
The Irish Heart Foundation was established in 1966.

Achievements

• Coronary care units in all hospitals 1966-1975
•  Public awareness and education programme 
• ‘Action for Life’ program in schools
•  ‘Sli na Slainte’ 157 locations – now adopted in many countries
•  Advocacy - smoking ban 2004
•  National patient helpline 2006
•  National stroke audit 2008

Funding
The Irish Heart Foundation is 90 per cent funded by public donations.

Staff and Offices
The IHF has 44 staff. The main office is in Dublin and there are five regional offices in Cork, Sligo, Carrickmacross, Carlow and Waterford.