A dedicated and proud Portrush farmer, who survived a heart attack in 2024, is raising awareness of a silent killer which could unknowingly affect as many as 100,000 people in Northern Ireland.

Robert Nevin had no prior symptoms before his frightening experience two years ago.

He woke in the middle of the night with what he thought was indigestion, got up early the next day and worked for five hours on his farm, before driving himself to hospital.

Following tests, the then 59-year-old was told he was having a heart attack.

A heart attack can be caused by fatty plaque building up inside the coronary arteries leading to a blockage of blood flow, which is a medical emergency.

Robert had a stent fitted and has since made a good recovery. But it was a worrying time.

In recent weeks, Robert has had an iconic British Heart Foundation red bench unveiled in his honour in his hometown.

And now the 61-year-old is teaming up with the British Heart Foundation and the NI Agri-Rural Health Forum to encourage thousands of farmers and Balmoral show-goers to get their blood pressure checked.

The Balmoral Show takes place at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn from Wednesday, May 13 to Saturday, May 16.

And at the Farm Families stand at C7, where a BHF red bench will be situated, the public can get their blood pressure tested.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Northern Ireland – linked to around 2,200 cardiovascular deaths each year.

An estimated 400,000 people in Northern Ireland have hypertension. Around 300,000 people are on their GP’s hypertension register, meaning up to 100,000 people in Northern Ireland could be undiagnosed.

More than half of heart attacks and strokes in Northern Ireland are associated with high blood pressure.

Robert and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) are encouraging the public to tick off a blood pressure checklist – as latest figures reveal that up to 100,000 people in Northern Ireland could be unaware they are living with this silent killer.

“My experience has taught me how important it is for everyone to look after their heart health and take it seriously,” says Robert, who has his BHF red bench situated at the Royal Court Hotel, Portrush.

“I was fit and healthy all my life and many people, including myself, struggled to understand how this happened to me.

“Particularly in the field of farming, which can be a very stressful and isolating line of work, farmers might have more of a tendency to ignore symptoms as I did and to a certain extent believe they are invincible.

“However there are some simple steps you can take to look after your heart health, starting with getting your blood pressure checked.

“The Balmoral Show is one of the highlights in the agricultural year and I would encourage farmers to have their blood pressure checked at the show.”

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition which can increase your risk of a heart attack, stroke or kidney damage if it’s not treated.

For May Measurement Month – a global blood pressure testing campaign – the BHF has issued a list of easy steps that can help manage or lower your blood pressure, from free checks to simple food swaps.

Fearghal McKinney, Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland says: “High blood pressure is known as the silent killer for good reason as it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. All too often we see patients who have suffered serious heart disease or stroke caused by their high blood pressure and they had no idea their blood pressure had been elevated, probably for many years.

“Robert is supporting our campaign to bring vital awareness amongst the farming community and further afield. Our red bench will be situated at the Farm Families stand all week at Balmoral and I would encourage anyone attending, over the age of 40, to get their blood pressure checked.

“The only way of being sure you don’t have high blood pressure is to get it checked, it is simple to do, and May Measurement Month is a great time to do it. The sooner you know your numbers, the sooner doctors can decide whether treatment is needed to reduce your future risk of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and dementia.”

BHF’s blood pressure checklist

1. Check your blood pressure

The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to measure it. There are many places you can get your blood pressure checked like pharmacies, some workplaces, GP surgeries and health fairs.

If you or your doctor think you’re at risk of high blood pressure, you may want to monitor your blood pressure at home.

The BHF has information on website on how to find the best blood pressure monitor for you, and how to take an accurate reading, including a free blood pressure chart and diary.

You can buy approved monitors from the BHF’s online shop, with all proceeds funding the charity’s lifesaving research into cardiovascular disease.

2. Do regular exercise

Aim to do some moderate-intensity activity every day. It doesn’t have to be for long – even 10 minutes will help keep your heart and blood pressure healthy. Eventually you should build up to at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise.

Aerobic exercise is best for lowering your blood pressure and heart rate at rest, while strength exercises will help strengthen your muscles to make aerobic exercise easier. The BHF recommends a combination of both every week, in addition to some balance and stretching exercises.

The BHF website has videos of 10-minute low and moderate intensity exercises that anyone can do, in addition to tips on how to incorporate more exercise into everyday life without having to go to the gym.

3. Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day

Beetroot and its juice have been found to help control blood pressure, according to BHF-funded research. That is thought to be because beetroot is a concentrated form of nitrates, which may help to lower blood pressure. However, you can also find nitrates in other fruits or vegetables, including spinach, celery, kale, bananas and strawberries.

Potassium can also help lower blood pressure, and this is found in all fruits and vegetables, so try and eat at least five varied portions a day. The BHF advises getting potassium through your diet rather than supplements, as too much can be harmful and affect your heart rhythm.

4. Include dairy in your diet

Including milk and dairy foods as part of a healthy, balanced diet can help lower blood pressure. Dairy products contain a complex combination of nutrients, including calcium which has been linked to blood pressure reduction. Choosing low-fat options helps you avoid eating too much saturated fat, which can be harmful for your heart.

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, consider adopting the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). Created by researchers at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in the USA in the 1990s, it’s been shown to be helpful by numerous studies.

5. Cut down on salt.

Salt can raise your blood pressure, and unfortunately most people are eating too much of it.

Although we all need some salt in our diets, too much of it can pull water back into the bloodstream which raises blood pressure.

A lot of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, which makes it hard to know exactly how much salt we’re eating. The BHF recommends cutting down on processed foods like crisps, sauces, pickles and processed meat like ham, bacon and sausages to help lower your blood pressure. The charity is also calling on the Government to give food manufacturers an incentive to take out excessive amounts of salt from our food.

6. Drink in moderation

If you drink alcohol, stick within the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units a week, and aim to have several alcohol-free days each week.

7. Manage your weight

For some people, losing weight is all they need to do to lower their blood pressure to a normal level. The BHF recommends making small but realistic changes to your lifestyle rather than following an extreme weight loss plan or restrictive diet.

Set yourself achievable weight loss goals, such as initially aiming to lose 10 per cent of your body weight. This will have big health benefits, even if your weight is still classed as overweight or obese afterwards.

8. Take medicines as prescribed

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure or your doctor has said you may be at risk, you may be prescribed medicine to help control it. Always take your medicines as prescribed, and don’t stop taking them without consulting your GP first.

The BHF’s information and support services can give you help and guidance on any heart question that bothers you, no matter how big or small. To find out more, search ‘BHF questions’ or speak with one of our cardiac nurses on our Heart Helpline