A man given a new lease of life after suffering heart failure, has spoken of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Secondary school teacher Nicholas Hines, 47, had to have a heart transplant in 2024 after a stroke four years earlier revealed he had serious cardiac problems.
“My health today is better than it was before the stroke in 2020,” said the father-of-three.
“I never imagined I’d feel this good again.
“It shows how important early diagnosis is; catching these conditions early can make all the difference. I’m lucky mine was found when it was.”
Mr Hines, who moved to Ireland from the US in 2002, was speaking as part of European Heart Failure Awareness Week, running until Sunday (May 3) and focussing on the theme 'Awareness Today, Protection Tomorrow'.
The serious health condition affects an estimated 137,000 people in Ireland, with 10,000 new patients diagnosed every year.
But experts say public awareness of the symptoms, including breathlessness, fatigue, swollen ankles or legs and rapid weight gain, remains low.
Dr. Angie Brown, Irish Heart Foundation.
To reverse that, three heart organisations have organised pop-up Heart Failure Awareness Roadshows across the country.
Following his stroke, Mr Hines, who lives in Clonaslee, Co Laois, was admitted to Naas General Hospital, where investigations revealed underlying dilated cardiomyopathy and sarcoidosis.
He was transferred to Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin, where he received specialist treatment for advanced heart failure.
But despite intensive medical management, he underwent the heart transplant in 2024 and has since returned to work as a maths teacher.
“Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped, it means it is not pumping blood as effectively as it should,” said Dr Angie Brown, Medical Director at the Irish Heart Foundation.
“Neither does it mean the end of life: with early diagnosis, treatment, and support, people can live well.
“Awareness of heart failure symptoms and how the condition can be managed is low.”
Members of the public visiting the pop-up roadshows until May 8, are being offered free blood pressure and heart health checks; advice from specialist heart failure nurses; information on recognising the signs and symptoms of heart failure; guidance on lifestyle changes and resources for patients, families and carers.
The events are organised by the Irish Heart Foundation, Croí, the heart and stoke charity, and the Irish Association of Heart Failure Nurses, visiting locations in Athlone, Donegal town, Waterford, Galway, Dublin, Cavan, Cork and Limerick.
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“Heart failure can be a life-altering condition, but with early diagnosis and the right support, people can live well,” said Dr Lisa Hynes, Head of Health Programmes at Croí.
“We want to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to recognise symptoms early and seek help.”
Emer Burke, President of The Irish Association of Heart Failure Nurses, said that Mr Hines’s experience demonstrates the significance of heart failure nurses’ role in empowering patients to live well with the condition.
More information on dates, times and locations for the roadshows at: www.croi.ie and www.irishheart.ie.
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