Young people make little use of health check-ups to maintain or improve their health, according to a survey carried out by the Irish Heart Foundation.
Instead they use personal indicators, such as the "feel-good factor", as benchmarks of their current health status.
The survey also revealed that young people have little confidence in the ability of the medical profession to give them the "get up and go" to do something to change their lifestyle.
The survey of 200 young men and women, aged 18 to 35, was published at the launch of Irish Heart Week yesterday.
The Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, said Ireland has the highest death rate in the EU from coronary heart disease for people under 65.
"Go on . . . Look after your heart" is the slogan for the week. Mr Cowen said the health behaviour of young people today will determine the prevalence of heart disease.
Prof Ian Graham, consultant cardiologist and president of the Irish Heart Foundation, said death rates from coronary heart disease have been declining since the 1970s.
"But when we compare our performance to other countries, such as the US, Australia, and our EU partners, we know we can do more. Regular exercise, plenty of fruit and vegetables and less fat, as well as not smoking reduce the risk of heart disease," Prof Graham said.
More than 100 events are being organised, with an emphasis on reaching young people in thirdlevel colleges, social welfare offices and the workplace.