The high cost of healthy foods and gym memberships are also creating barriers to living a healthy lifestyle, according to the research.

They have already raised more than €100,000 for the Irish Heart Foundation.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s nurse-led vehicle offers free checks across the Republic

Women are six times more likely to die from heart disease and stroke than they are from breast cancer.

At least €4.1 million is currently needed to make HRT provision free for women who already receive it under the State shemes.

Activist and presenter Katie Piper talks to Yolanthe Fawehinmi about the superpower of play, and why we all need to love more freely.

As figures reveal more and more middle-aged people are being affected, Liz Connor finds out how we can all improve our stroke awareness.