This Healthy Heart Grant project has now finished, read on for the project highlights.

The Problem

Ederney is a small rural village that falls within the top 10% of deprivation for access to services as well as for poverty affecting older people. GPs revealed that local trends within this area mirror the high rate of heart disease found across Northern Ireland, but it is exacerbated by rurality.

The Project

Ederney Healthy Hearts aimed to improve heart health in those with a sedentary lifestyle and a BMI of between 30 and 35. This cardiovascular disease primary prevention programme consisted of both educational and practical elements, delivering educational workshops on healthy eating and nutrition, cooking tips and skills, stress management and mindfulness. Practical sessions were also held in the form of walking groups, step counting and yoga. Talks from specialists on topics such as strokes, smoking and alcohol also took place to understand the strain that poor lifestyle behaviours can put on your heart.

Beneficiaries’ activity levels will be monitored via technology, and they will have their blood pressure, weight and fitness levels assessed pre-, mid- and post-project.

Project Highlights

Ederney Healthy Hearts measured blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, BMI, heart age, Q risk and mental wellbeing pre-, mid- and post-project. Improvements were seen across many of the measures, including heart age, BMI and cholesterol, with other positive outcomes also being observed. All beneficiaries received a medication review with a consultant cardiologist and clinical pharmacist, with some medications being changed and reduced due to their current health results. Participants also saw improvements in their health knowledge, leading to more informed decisions being made and them being more proactive on the management of their health. The project has helped to build a community and reduce isolation