Families from Bradford with a history of heart problems are being urged to join a major study investigating the cause of the district's biggest killer.

Researchers at the Yorkshire Heart Centre in Leeds are hoping to isolate family genes which make some people more likely to have heart problems. The study aims to examine 2,500 pairs of siblings.

The project, launched yesterday with backing from heart patient Sir Jimmy Savile, will be the biggest of its kind in the world and doctors are particularly anxious to track down patients in the Bradford area - where heart disease is the largest cause of death.

More than 300 people aged under 65 were admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary in 1995 with heart attacks, a higher number than any other hospital in Yorkshire and accounting for 12 per cent of heart attack admissions in the region. More than 100 were admitted to Airedale General Hospital.

Doctors estimate one sixth of patients who are at no apparent risk have unexpected heart attacks and in a bid to develop new prevention and treatment methods they are looking to track down genetic factors.

Sir Jimmy, who received a £600,000 cheque from the British Heart Foundation to kickstart the project, said he was grateful for the centre's research which had helped him. And the study would help many more.

Dr Alistair Hall, consultant in cardiology at the centre, said they were looking for heart patients with brother or sisters who had both had heart attacks, hospital admission with angina or heart surgery before the age of 65.

Volunteers would need to give up an hour of their time to answer questions and give small blood samples at GP surgeries, hospitals in the area or the Yorkshire Heart Centre.

Anyone who would like further details can call freephone 0800 0680311.

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