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22.08.12

The Irish Heart Foundation has launched a campaign to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases. The September Heart Month campaign will urge people to have their blood pressure checked.

Don, Ben and Robert Morgan, the sons of the late Dermot Morgan, have joined with the Irish Heart Foundation to promote the campaign.

Dermot Morgan, a satirist best known for his role as Father Ted Crilly and appearances as Fr. Trendy on the "Live Mike", died of a heart attack in 1998 just hours after recording the final episode of "Father Ted".

His sons are now trying to encourage people to reduce their risks of cardiovascular disease - specifically by getting their blood pressure checked. Figures have shown that uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack or stroke threefold.

Morgan's eldest son Don said that "Most of the time I think I’m too young for a heart attack. But that’s exactly what I thought about my dad too. The reality is, no matter how much I think I’m invincible like the Avengers, particularly the hulk, deep down I know high blood pressure can happen to me regardless of my superpowers."

The Irish Heart foundation is organising a blood pressure road show next month, where people can get their blood pressure checked for free at nearly 50 locations nationwide.