HEALTH bosses in Bradford are marking the first anniversary of a Healthy Hearts campaign by releasing new figures which show the strides made in improving people's health.

The campaign has so far helped 10,000 patients since it was set up and has already potentially prevented 50 heart attacks and 50 strokes.

Healthy Heart also scooped a double win at the General Practice Awards 2015, with the campaign winning in the Clinical Team of the Year: Cardiovascular and General Practice Team of the Year categories.

As a result of the campaign more than 800 people in the district are now also on vital stroke prevention drugs which have reduced the risk of stroke by up to 75 per cent in these patients.

The Healthy Hearts campaign is run by NHS Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group, and is a three year plan to reduce the rate of strokes and cardiac arrests in the area.

Dr Youssef Beaini, clinical lead for cardiovascular disease at Bradford Districts CCG, said: "Bradford's Healthy Hearts has had a tremendous first year and has had a really positive impact on people's health, which is very encouraging.

"It's been a true partnership approach with the GP practices to identify people at risk of heart disease and get them on the right treatment to improve their care.

"Bradford has one of the worst death rates from heart disease in England, and that's why one of the CCG's main priorities is to reduce the number of deaths caused by heart attack and stroke.

"As well as ensuring that the best possible care and treatment are available for local people, Bradford's Healthy Hearts aims to raise awareness about how to make the right lifestyle choices to reduce the chance of being affected by avoid heart disease and stroke."

GPs involved with the campaign have also helped 5000 people reduce their cholesterol levels, lowering their risk of stroke.

After the success of Healthy Hearts' first year in business, the team is now switching focus to try to tackle hypertension, better known as high blood pressure.

An estimated 50,000 people in the district have undiagnosed hypertension, which can cause damage to arteries and organs if left untreated.

In turn, this can lead to strokes, heart attacks and heart or kidney failure, as well as other problems.

The Healthy Hearts team will present its achievements to Professor Huon Gray, national clinical director for heart disease at NHS England, when he visits Bradford on February 11.

All 41 practices in the Clinical Commissioning Group are involved in the campaign, and more information about heart disease and lifestyle advice can be found at bradfordshealthyhearts.co.uk.