Deaths from heart disease in Ireland have fallen by nearly 50% in 15 years, according to new research.
The researchers found that the improvement is partly due to the fall in the numbers of people smoking.
Researchers at St James's Hospital in Dublin studied deaths from heart attack over the period from 1985 to the year 2000.
They discovered that over that time, deaths from coronary artery disease fell by 47% in people between the ages of 25 to 84.
That means that 3,800 fewer people died of heart disease in the year 2000 than in 1985.
The research team, led by Dr Kathleen Bennett of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, found that better medication and surgery accounted in part for the decline in deaths.
However, even more significant was the fact that people smoke less and have healthier diets.
Announcing the findings of her study, Dr Bennett said that the results support the decision to introduce a ban on smoking in the workplace in Ireland.
However, she warned that sharp rises in obesity, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles could offset the gains made in recent years.
