Comedian Ernie Wise has suffered from heart disease for several years. Now as he recovers in a Florida hospital after triple by-pass surgery, Mike Waites highlights the district's biggest killer and gives advice to those who care for heart attack victims, as Wise's wife Doreen, inset, will have to do.

TACKLING HEART disease across Bradford is being given the highest priority by health chiefs.

It is the district's biggest killer, often the result of lifestyles linked to deprivation and exacerbated by smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet.

Deaths from heart disease in the district are more than twice the national average, and even higher in some inner city areas.

Nationally one in seven men and one in 17 women die of heart disease before reaching their 75th birthday, while there are more than two million angina sufferers, one in five people with high blood pressure and more than 300,000 heart attacks each year.

Major action is planned to tackle the problem through Bradford's trailblazing Health Action Zone, but now a new book has been published offering help to the hidden victims of heart disease - carers.

Caring for Someone with a Heart Problem, produced by Age Concern, is aimed at relatives or friends of people who have coronary disease, as well as nurses and social workers.

Topics include support available to carers, advice on lifestyle and easing heart problems, coping with heart failure and managing stress.

The book's author, nurse Toni Battison, said many people with heart disease were able to lead relatively normal lives thanks to better treatment and care.

Changes to lifestyle are important to try to combat heart conditions including:

Improving diet to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce obesity.

Taking more exercise.

Giving up smoking.

Lowering high blood pressure to reduce strain on the heart.

Managing stress to reduce anxiety levels.

Toni Battison said the burden on carers meant it was important to take advantage of networks of support to cope with the hard work, stress and feelings of frustration.

"At times being a carer creates tremendous anxiety and distress. You may be undertaking tasks that feel difficult and unfamiliar, you are largely unpaid and untrained and you are often on duty for 24 hours a day, seven days a week," she said.

"Much will be expected of you and this responsibility will tax your patience."

The book (ISBN 0862422523), priced £6.99, is now available from Age Concern or in bookshops.

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