
The new Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group has had its first meeting on heart disease.
Over 7,000 people across the Midlands are affected by heart failure.
That comes from the new Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group set up to create updated policy on cardiovascular disease.
Just over 2,500 people are affected in Westmeath, just over 2,400 in Laois and 2,220 in Offaly tackle the disease every day.
Several Midlands TD's sit on the group including Independents Carol Nolan and Brian Stanley, Fine Gael's Willie Aird, Peter Burke and Michael Carrigy and Fianna Fail Senator Paul Daly.
They're calling for better access to cardiac rehabilitation and help to ease financial hardship caused by the condition.