New figures from the CSO show there has been a rise in the number of deaths from heart disease and strokes since last year.
The Irish Heart Foundation says obesity, lack of physical activity, diabetes and hypertension are causing the increase.
Michael O'Shea, Irish Heart Foundation Chief Executive, said that the latest CSO figures give cause for concern and may be an indication that the falling mortality rates from cardiovascular disease are beginning to reverse.
‘To be effective in the fight against cardiovascular disease, society must take responsibility starting with the Government, food industry, Department of Transport, Department of Education, Department of Health and HSE, Department of Finance and parents.’
Mr O'Shea also stressed that a lack of physical activity and smoking are two of the biggest detrimental impacts on heart health and both are preventable.
‘Not enough Irish people are taking adequate exercise and this combined with the consumption of the wrong types of food products, is causing our population to increase in weight.
‘Meanwhile smokers have two to three times the risk of heart attack compared to non-smokers. Smoking causes a quarter of all coronary heart disease deaths and 11% of stroke deaths.’
