Free heart and hearing checks coming to Mayo towns

Residents in Co Mayo are being encouraged to take advantage of free health checks as part of a nationwide initiative visiting Ballina and Castlebar next week.

Hidden Hearing and the Irish Heart Foundation will bring their mobile health units to Mayo Sligo Mart on Tuesday, April 14, offering free heart, blood pressure and hearing checks from 9am to 3.30pm.

The initiative will then move to Hidden Hearing Castlebar Clinic on Wednesday, April 15, where checks will be available from 10am to 4pm.

The events are open to everyone, with no appointment required, and aim to raise awareness around heart and hearing health while encouraging early detection of potential issues.

Organisers say the checks are quick, simple and non-invasive, but could prove lifesaving. Blood pressure monitoring can help identify risks linked to heart disease and stroke, while hearing screenings can detect early signs of hearing loss and related conditions.

According to the Irish Heart Foundation, approximately 67% of people over 50 in Ireland are living with high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. The charity’s mobile units carry out up to 10,000 free checks nationwide each year.

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The initiative also highlights the link between heart health and hearing. Poor circulation can damage the inner ear, potentially leading to permanent hearing loss or conditions such as tinnitus.

Health professionals involved in the campaign are encouraging people, particularly those over 50, to treat hearing checks as part of their regular health routine.

Members of the public are advised to consult their GP or a qualified medical professional if they have any concerns about their health.