Older people in NI more likely to suffer from heart disease – study

Older people in Northern Ireland are far more likely to suffer from heart disease, long-term illness and disability than those in the Republic, according to new all-Ireland research.

The prevalence of heart disease and rates of associated disability are higher among men and those in lower socio-economic groups, the study led by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast shows.

There are also significant differences in health behaviours linked with the risk of heart disease. Rates of obesity and smoking in the over-50s are higher in the Republic, but the North is worse for physical inactivity, diabetes and severe depression.

"The findings illustrate the need to tackle key risk factors, especially physical inactivity among older people in Ireland, both North and South," said Prof Frank Kee, director of the centre of excellence for public health at Queen's.

The prevalence of heart disease among over-50s in Northern Ireland is 44 per cent higher than in the Republic, while the prevalence of limiting long-term illness is almost 80 per cent higher.

More than twice as many people in Northern Ireland have heart disease and limiting long-term illness as in the Republic – 8.8 per cent against 4.1 per cent.

Risk factors

Men on both sides of the Border are more likely to have a heart disease-related disability, as are people from low socio-economic backgrounds compared to those in high positions.

Not surprisingly, rates of heart disease-related disability rise with age, peaking at 8.3 per cent for over-80s in the Republic and 15.2 per cent in Northern Ireland.

While these rates could be reduced by removing any of the main risk factors for heart disease-related disability, the biggest contribution could be made by getting people physically active and treating severe depression.

“Heart disease remains a leading cause of death and disability in both parts of Ireland and high by European standards,” said Dr Roger O’Sullivan, director of the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland, which funded the study.

“The numbers of adults who will have heart disease in their lifetime will rise rapidly as our population ages. These new findings emphasise the need to bring forward initiatives to reduce the risks of heart disease.”

The study also identifies differing urban/rural patterns on both sides of the Border. In the North, Belfast and Derry have considerably higher rats of heart disease at age 65+ than the rest of Northern Ireland.

In contrast, Dublin has lower rates than the rest of the Republic.