Colm’s Heart Health Story

Dairy

Going for a simple health check could prevent a heart attack or stroke and ultimately save your life and, as Wexford farmer Colm Doran (68) found out.

Glanbia Ingredients Ireland’s charity partner for 2016 was the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF), and through this relationship, offered free heart health checks to Glanbia farmers across 10 Glanbia locations during June 2016.

Glanbia supplier, Colm Doran, was one farmer who availed of this service. Colm, who farms alongside his wife Anne in Monamolin, Gorey, Co. Wexford, attended the heart health check-up at their local Glanbia Agribusiness Inch branch on 3 June 2016 after receiving the invitation text from Glanbia. It was discovered at his appointment that Colm’s blood pressure was critically high and the IHF nurse advised him to see his GP immediately.

Aware of Colm’s family history of heart disease, Anne encouraged Colm to make the stop on the way back to their farm and as a result Colm was immediately prescribed blood pressure medication. The next step was to take a stress test which showed that his blood pressure had dangerously increased and so, led to the prescription of new stabilising medication. Once Colm’s blood pressure had stabilised, he was referred for an Angiogram on 10 August 2016. Doctors acted fast and, on that same day, through a very simple procedure, Colm had two stents inserted. He was monitored overnight and let home the next day.

Colm is an active character with a passion for the GAA. During his sporting career he played hurling for Wexford throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, winning an Allstar award in 1973 and appearing in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Finals of 1976 and 1977, whilst also hurling for his home club Buffers Alley from 1968 to 1988, winning 9 Wexford Senior Hurling Titles, 2 Leinster titles and 1 All Ireland club title. Following his retirement from playing, he also had success on the fi eld as a trainer and manager with Buffers Alley.

Significantly, Colm had been experiencing no symptoms to indicate he had any heart issues, but due to suffering the loss of both his parents and a brother at a relatively young age, he was aware of the potential risk to his health. Being offered the opportunity by IHF and GII to avail of a free check-up was a gentle, and indeed, life-saving reminder to Colm to prioritise his health.

As a busy farmer, Colm was concerned that the surgery might impact his ability to keep up his normal pace. He was relieved to discover that the recovery time was minimal and, in fact, his quality of life and energy levels improved. Colm, Anne and their children Willie, Frances and Colm Og can now rest assured that he can farm safely.

Now enjoying a healthy farming lifestyle, Colm commented,

“I would urge anyone to take the time to have themselves checked and meet trouble halfway”.

Glanbia’s complimentary heart health check programme focused on the wellbeing and safety of participants and was a practical step towards raising awareness of heart health amongst our suppliers and farming community. Putting your health first ensures a healthy future for you and your family.

First Published 19 October 2017

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