A new study from the Irish Heart Foundation, has found that almost 80 per cent of Irish farmers had 4 or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
The data for the survey was gathered by Heart Foundation nursing staff, during free health checks offered to farmers at marts across the country.
The tests found that 86 per cent of farmers tested were overweight or obese, while 82 per cent had a family history of heart disease or stroke.
Almost half of farmers had high blood pressure and roughly the same number had high cholesterol levels.
As a result of the tests, 8 out of 10 farmers were advised to see their GP for follow-up.
Research has found that farmers are 7 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than people working in other occupations.
