Revving Up Heart Failure Awareness

Ireland’s First Know Heart Failure Tractor Football – Revving Up Heart Failure Awareness at the Ploughing Championships

The new ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ campaign aims to increase awareness of Heart Failure

• Heart Failure currently affects 90,000 people in Ireland, with the prevalence increasing, up to one in five people will develop Heart Failure at some point during their lifetime^1,2,3

• National Ploughing Association feels that many farmers could be accused of looking after their tractors more than their hearts!

• The Heart Failure Tractor Football Tournament is being held to encourage the farming community to take care of their hearts

• ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ campaign offers free tests to assess the risk of developing Heart Failure at Ploughing Championships

Date TBC: Ireland’s first Heart Failure Tractor Football Tournament, to rev up awareness of Heart Failure symptoms among the farming community, will kick off at the 85^th National Ploughing Championships, 20^{th –} 22^nd September 2016. The Offaly versus Laois, three-a side-teams will battle it out in WR Shaw New Holland tractors, trying to get the massive seven foot football through the posts, with celebrities commentating on this unique tractor event.

The ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ campaign, supported by the Heart Failure Patient Alliance and Novartis Ireland Ltd., will be officially launched at the Ploughing Championships as agriculture is a predominantly male dominated sector, and Heart Failure mainly affects men.^{4, 5}

As part of the campaign, the ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ stand hosted in the Health and Wellness tent, will invite visitors to speak to healthcare professionals about the symptoms and risk factors of Heart Failure. Free tests for those considered at risk of Heart Failure will also be provided at the stand.

Commenting on the importance of the Heart Failure awareness initiative, Anna May McHugh, Managing Director, National Ploughing Association said, “Tractors are at the heart of the farming community and many of us could be accused of looking after our tractors better than our own heart health. This is the first time a Tractor Football Tournament has ever been held in Ireland – maybe even the world! So we’re looking forward to great excitement and hope this initiative drives visitors to the ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ stand.”

Mr Billy Shaw, WR Shaw, owner of the participating New Holland tractors said, “Our Offaly versus Laois branded New Holland tractors and expert drivers will be doing their bit to increase awareness for Heart Failure – we want everyone to take more care of their heart. My mother sadly passed away from a heart condition so I have a very personal link to this campaign. I encourage everyone attending the Ploughing to become a tractor footie supporter in aid of Heart Failure awareness.”

The heart is simply a pump, just like any pump around the farm. When the efficiency of the pump drops Heart Failure can develop, causing symptoms of tiredness and breathlessness when doing normal tasks and swelling of the feet or ankle.^6,7 It is a serious but manageable condition that affects approximately 90,000 people in Ireland, with up to one in five people at risk of developing Heart Failure at some point during their lifetime.^1,2,3 One in three people in Ireland mistake Heart Failure symptoms for signs of aging, and one in four wait a week or more to seek medical advice when experiencing these serious symptoms.⁸ However, improved understanding of Heart Failure, early diagnosis and new treatments can allow patients to live longer, feel better and be more active. The ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ campaign encourages those at risk of Heart Failure who have more than one of the symptoms to speak to their healthcare professional and request a heart examination.

Professor Ken McDonald, Consultant Cardiologist and National Clinical Lead for Heart Failure said, “The term Heart Failure can be frightening and is often misunderstood. By bringing attention to this condition, the ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ campaign aims to increase the public’s awareness and understanding of Heart Failure in order to help people take action earlier and thereby improve their outlook”

Loretto Callaghan, Managing Director, Novartis Ireland Ltd., “Farming is an incredibly tough, physically-demanding industry and personal health can often take a backseat, due to little free time. We want to make sure the farming community prioritises their heart health as with early diagnosis and treatment, Heart Failure patients can feel better and live longer, more active, productive lives.”

Everyone attending the National Ploughing Championships can get involved in the ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ campaign. Here’s how:

• Come to what promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting events at this year’s Ploughing Championships, the Laois V’s Offaly Heart Failure Tractor Football Tournament and see representatives from both counties fighting it out to win the coveted cup

• Visit us at the ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ stand in the Health and Wellness tent to get more information on Heart Failure and free tests for people who may be at risk of Heart Failure

• Support the ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ campaign by taking selfies at our events and share it on social media #heartfailure

For more information visit the ‘Know Heart Failure Now’ stand in the Health and Wellness tent at the National Ploughing Championships, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from 20^th – 22^nd September 2016 or go to www.heartbeat-trust.ie / www.croi.ie.