A NEW venture has been launched aimed at slashing the number of people affected by heart disease.

Clinical commissioning groups in Bradford district and Craven have joined with healthcare providers across the region to implement a Healthy Hearts programme.

Phase one is focusing on helping GPs to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure, or hypertension, which can be an indicator of cardiovascular disease.

It is estimated there could be as many as 18,000 such patients region-wide.

The programme, which is building on the success of the award-winning Bradford’s Healthy Hearts initiative, has a target of achieving a ten per cent reduction in the number of people affected by heart disease by 2021 – equating to 1,100 fewer cardiovascular disease incidents.

Dr Youssef Beaini, a GP and the clinical lead for the project, said: "We're delivering the programme in three phases.

"During the first phase, working to help identify patients with undiagnosed hypertension, we'll be equipping GPs with new coding allowing them to search their own patient databases more effectively – along with the latest advice and guidance on the most effective treatments – with the aim of reducing the number of people suffering heart attacks and strokes.

"We also estimate that there’s nearly 40,000 patients across the region, who’ve already been diagnosed with hypertension, that will benefit from simple improvements to their existing medication.

"Our belief is that phase one alone will prevent 285 heart attacks and 421 strokes across West Yorkshire and Harrogate, saving the NHS £8 million."

Dr Graeme Summers – clinical lead for cardiovascular disease at Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group – said that by working together, all the partners in the programme would benefit from shared learning and "economies of scale".

But he stressed it was important people realised there was much they could do themselves to reduce the risk factors that can lead to cardiovascular disease – such as being overweight, smoking, drinking and having an unhealthy diet.

"It’s never too late to start looking after your heart and we’re working with the Healthy Hearts programme to help patients make the kinds of lifestyle changes needed to stay healthy," he added.

Phase two, due to begin in the autumn, will have an emphasis on cholesterol management.

And the third phase, set to start next year, will concentrate on blood glucose control in diabetes.

Bradford's Healthy Hearts, established four years ago by NHS Bradford Districts CCG, has seen several notable successes including a ten per cent reduction in the number of unplanned admissions to hospital for stroke and heart attack.