There are almost 7,500 people living with heart failure in Galway – and an estimated 137,000 across the country in the same position.

That led those involved in this field of medicine to see those patients receive greater access to cardiac rehabilitation, psychological support and help to ease financial hardship caused by the condition.

Dáil Deputies and Senators from across Galway backed that call by participating in the inaugural Oireachtas Heart and Stroke group meeting on heart failure at Leinster House.

Minister Noel Grealish, Deputies Albert Dolan, Martin Daly and Claire Kerrane and Senator Shane Curley showed their support for the estimated 7,443 people living with heart failure in Galway.

Members of the group, set up by the Irish Heart Foundation, heard from Patient Champions and heart failure patients Stephen Comerford and Teresa O’Hanlon as well as a number of experts in the field.

They included Professor Emer Joyce, Consultant Heart Function and Transplant Cardiologist at the Mater Hospital, Dr Eamonn O’Shea, GP, HSE/ICGP Integrated Care GP Clinical Lead Cardiovascular with the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Foundation’s Director of Advocacy and Patient Support, Chris Macey.

They spoke about Ireland’s rapidly growing cardiac condition, a chronic disease that occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should, and the disabilities and challenges faced by the estimated 137,000 people living with heart failure in Ireland.

“The HSE has estimated that 30 per cent of heart failure patients are back in hospital within 90 days of discharge,” said Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy with the Irish Heart Foundation.

“Half of all admissions are due to poor self-care and are therefore largely preventable.

“Heart failure patients, along with others living with heart disease and stroke, need more help to address the psychological impact of their condition, financial hardship that can result and gain greater access to rehabilitation services.

“The purpose of this new group is to ensure that services and supports for people affected by cardiovascular disease are prioritised in Galway and across the country,” he added.

Pictured: Dr Eamonn O’Shea, GP, HSE/ICGP Integrated Care GP Clinical Lead Cardiovascular with the Irish College of General Practitioners, Professor Emer Joyce, Consultant Heart Function and Transplant Cardiologist at The Mater Hospital, Emma Balmaine, CEO, Irish Heart Foundation and Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy and Patient Support at the Heart and Stroke Oireachtas Group meeting, set up by the Irish Heart Foundation.