Farmers risk heart disease

Health screening: Farmers need to be more alert to their risk of heart disease, preliminary results of a new study reveal.

Almost half of all farmers screened for cardiovascular risk factors required referral to their GP for a follow-up consultation, a health study carried out in association with the Irish Farmers' Association has found.

"This is an average percentage of GP referral following a screening and I expect most of those referred on were a little overweight or had raised cholesterol," said Dr Brian Maurer, medical director of the Irish Heart Foundation.

The study, which screened 262 males and 166 females in 27 clinics throughout the country, also found that one in three farmers don't take any exercise. Almost two-thirds don't take the recommended 30 minutes a day exercise. Yet, 88 per cent identified themselves as non-smokers and 50 per cent claimed to be non-drinkers.

The majority of those screened for cholesterol, weight and blood pressure were between 50 and 70 years old. The full results of the study, funded by Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, will be announced at the National Ploughing Championships today.

Visitors to the National Ploughing Championships in Mogeely, Midleton, Co Cork today, tomorrow and on Thursday can avail of free health checks including cholesterol and blood pressure, body weight index and blood glucose.