Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in General Practice Summary

In 2001, 41% of all deaths in Ireland were due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), comprising coronary heart disease (CHD) 21%, stroke 9% and other diseases of the circulation 11% . By comparison, 26% of deaths were due to cancer. Although deaths from CVD in Ireland have been decreasing since 1985, they remain high (176/100,000 of the population) compared with the average EU figure of 108/100,000 . Moreover, Ireland has the highest rate of premature deaths (<65 years) from CVD in the EU. The premature death rate of 46/100,000 is almost twice the EU average (25/100,000). Deaths from stroke are close to the EU average at 65/100,000 .