Cardiovascular disease remains the largest single cause of death in Ireland — more than all cancers combined. Most of it is silent until the day it is not.
I have spent thirty years operating on people whose disease was found too late, and thirty years watching how differently things go for those whose disease was found early. A fifteen-minute ultrasound scan is very often the whole difference between the two.
My request is simple. If you are over fifty-five, or if aneurysm, stroke or circulation trouble runs in your family, or if you smoke or have diabetes, high blood pressure or raised cholesterol, please come and be scanned. Bring your family with you.
To my colleagues in general practice: I would be indebted if you would help us reduce cardiovascular death and disability in Ireland by referring such patients for screening.
With every good wish, Sherif Sultan
