Professor Brendan McAdam
President, Irish Cardiac Society
On World Heart Day and EU Screening Week 2026, it’s crucial for people to know their key health numbers to spot risks earlier and make lifestyle changes.
Many people feel healthy but may still have silent risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar and increased weight. These can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions.
Early heart screening
EU Screening week and the Know Your Numbers campaign is based on a simple and practical message: people should know the key personal health metrics that can help them understand potential health risks earlier, long before symptoms emerge, creating opportunities for earlier intervention and better outcomes by lifestyle changes and appropriate medical treatments if required.
The ICS are bringing this message directly to policymakers and, in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation, are offering screening to Oireachtas members and staff in Leinster House on Sept 30th.
While awareness campaigns and screening initiatives are vital,
lasting progress will require sustained commitment and collaboration
Irish alliance for cardiovascular health
EU Screening Week is about increased personal self-awareness and individual action but also increased population health promotion and to that end, the inaugural meeting of the new Irish Alliance for Cardiovascular Health will also take place during EU screening week. By bringing together organisations from across patient advocacy, clinical care, prevention, nursing, healthcare technology and community health, the Alliance, led by the ICS, aims to develop a more coordinated approach to one of Ireland’s most pressing health challenges.
Call for prevention and equitable access
Professor Brendan McAdam, President of the ICS, says: “While awareness campaigns and screening initiatives are vital, lasting progress will require sustained commitment and collaboration. Ireland has an opportunity to place cardiovascular health much higher on the policy agenda, with greater emphasis on prevention, early detection and equitable access to high-quality care.
“The ICS is advocating for the implementation of a National Cardiovascular Plan for Ireland to align with the EU Safe Hearts Plan launched last year with key principals to eliminate gender and socioeconomic disparities in the access to care and reduce waiting times for testing and treatment.”
These themes will continue next month when the annual Irish Cardiac Society Annual Scientific Meeting, an approved associated event of Ireland’s EU Presidency, takes place at Killashee House Hotel, Naas, from October 15 to 17th. The meeting will bring together leading local and international clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers to discuss the latest developments in cardiovascular medicine and the future direction of cardiovascular care in Ireland. The meeting will be opened by the Minister of Health Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
