Patient tells of ‘lucky’ diagnosis as charities offer heart checks nationwide

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

A heart transplant patient has said he was “lucky” to get an early diagnosis, as members of the public are being offered free health checks.

Pop-up roadshows are taking place across the country from Sunday until Friday, May 8th to raise awareness about heart failure.

The issue affects an estimated 137,000 people in Ireland, but the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) said awareness of symptoms remains low.

Catching these conditions early can make all the difference

These include breathlessness, fatigue, swollen ankles or legs, and rapid weight gain.

As part of European Heart Failure Awareness Week, the public is being offered free blood pressure and heart health checks as well as other awareness and lifestyle guides in events organised by the IHF, heart and stroke charity Croi, and the Irish Association of Heart Failure Nurses.

The events will be held in Athlone, Donegal town, Waterford, Galway, Dublin, Cavan, Cork, and Limerick.

Secondary school teacher Nicholas Hines, 47, emphasised the importance of early diagnosis.

He had to have a heart transplant in 2024 after a stroke in 2020 revealed he had underlying dilated cardiomyopathy and sarcoidosis.

He said, “Catching these conditions early can make all the difference. I’m lucky mine was found when it was.”

IHF medical director Dr Angie Brown said people “can live well” with early diagnosis, treatment, and support.