Heart patients in the district are among the first in the country to be helped back to health with exercise classes.

Bradford Royal Infirmary is offering specialist classes to patients with heart failure, a condition which leaves people, usually over 75, breathless and tired.

The hospital has been running rehabilitation sessions for several years for patients with coronary heart disease, such as those recovering from surgery, but the new sessions will now help even more people back on the road to recovery.

Until recently the medical profession believed patients with heart failure should avoid exercise to prevent putting a strain on the heart. But new evidence shows carefully planned activity can improve a patient's quality of life.

Consultant cardiologist Dr Chris Morley said: "Bradford is again helping to lead the way in its care of heart patients. People with heart failure often feel very tired and breathless. They might want to exercise but they are frightened.

"Now, latest evidence shows that carefully controlled exercise can be good for people with heart failure. Beginning these sessions at the BRI should improve their lives and make them feel better."

Patients attend the classes twice a week for six weeks doing activities ranging from arm exercises to using a treadmill.

Debbie Gibbon, heart failure nurse specialist, said: "We are among the first in the country to run this type of class. Most of the people taking part are over 75 and we give them their own tailored exercise programme.

"This might include practising sitting and standing or walking on a treadmill. By the end of the sessions, simple physical tasks should be a lot easier."

The exercise sessions have been organised jointly by Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Bradford City, Bradford South and West and North Bradford Primary Care Trusts.

British Heart Foundation regional director for the North of England Tony Doveston said 2.7 million people were living with heart failure in the UK.

"We launched a campaign on Valentine's Day on the back of a report into how the face of heart disease is changing in the UK," he said.

"Fewer people are dying from heart disease because of advances in treatment and more people are living with it as a chronic condition. Many people do not have a proper understanding of heart disease - they think it's a 'quick way to go.'

"We are trying to raise awareness and money to fund heart nurses in the community to help people living with heart disease or heart failure."