Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the research that has been undertaken into the cause or causes of high levels of heart disease here with particular reference to comparisons with statistics in other EU Member States; the extent of the research available as regards the contributory cause or causes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9764/08]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is a large measure of agreement internationally on the factors which increase risk of coronary heart disease. The WHO has stated that, "the major determinants of population rates of coronary heart disease had now been identified: an inappropriate national diet aggravated by physical inactivity and overweight (reflected in the mass raising of blood lipids and blood pressure), and widespread cigarette smoking." Smoking, raised blood pressure and raised blood cholesterol are regarded as the three "classic" risk factors for coronary heart disease. There has also been much research over the years into heart disease funded by the Health Research Board. In recent years heart disease and stroke rates have declined in Ireland. Ireland is no longer the worst place for premature deaths from coronary heart disease in EU-15 as was the case prior to the publication of Building Healthier Hearts in 1999. The pace of improvement for coronary heart disease is faster in Ireland compared with the EU-15 average. For example in the period 1995-2004 the rate of decline in premature mortality due to coronary heart disease was 21⁄2 times the EU-15 average for men and over 3 times the EU-15 average for women.

Coronary heart disease mortality rates fell by 47% in people aged 25 — 84 between 1985 and 2000. This resulted in 3,760 fewer deaths in 2000. More recent research in Ireland has examined how much of the decline in coronary heart disease mortality can be attributed to "evidence based" medical and surgical treatments and to changes in major cardiovascular risk factors. Approximately half the coronary heart disease mortality decline in Ireland between 1985 and 2000 can be attributed to medical treatments and almost half to reductions in major risk factors, principally high cholesterol and smoking. These beneficial effects were offset by increases in diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity which collectively contributed to approximately 500 more deaths. Available research is being considered by the Cardiovascular Health Policy Group. This group, which was established in September 2007, will set out broad policy guidelines for development of policy on cardiovascular health, including stroke. It is due to complete its work by May 2008.