The introduction of a cardiovascular screening service through pharmacies could save lives and money, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has insisted.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is Ireland's biggest killer - around 10,000 people die as a result of it every year.

The IPU is calling on the Government to introduce a National Cardiovascular Screening Service for people who may be at risk of developing CVD, to be delivered through community pharmacies.

"The introduction of this service through pharmacies could directly reduce the number of deaths from heart disease each year in Ireland. The average community pharmacy is open 50% longer than GP clinics, which increases the accessibility and cost effectiveness of providing such a service for patients," commented pharmacist, Bernard Duggan.

The IPU insisted that by delivering this service through pharmacies, the need for ‘expensive hospital care' could be reduced. Furthermore, 240 pharmacists nationwide have already completed the Cardiovascular and Risk Assessment Training for Pharmacists course, which is run by the IPU and the Irish Heart Foundation.

Meanwhile, the IPU also pointed out that pharmacists are available to help people who are on medication for their heart.

"There are a large number of different medicines for heart disease, depending on your situation. There are different guidelines for these medicines - some are better taken after food or at night. For example, it is advisable to avoid grapefruit when on heart medications," Mr Duggan noted.

He added that different medicines can have different side-effects, ‘so ask your pharmacist if you have any side-effects or have any questions about the medicines you are taking'.

For more information on heart health, see our Heart Disease Clinic here