THOUSANDS of local people live with heart ailments, but now a support group has been formed to help those suffering chronic heart failure.

Heart failure nurse Annette Johnson said last night: "We are focusing on heart failure, because up to two or three years ago, there was nothing for these patients.''

Heart failure means the heart does not pump enough blood to meet all the needs of the body, usually because the heart muscle has been damaged. It is a long-term condition.

The most common cause is damage to the heart due to narrowing or blockage of blood vessels to the heart (also caused coronary artery disease).

However, other causes include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, damaged heart valves, birth defects, disease of the heart due to genetic causes and damage to the heart muscle by a viral infection or from long-term heavy alcohol consumption.

Vicky Baxtrem, another heart failure nurse at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, said: "Patients have left a support group session feeling more positive, because they had been given advice or reassuring words from another patient.''

The group is open to patients and their families or carers.

Its sessions give people the opportunity to talk with others who are experiencing similar symptoms, problems, thoughts and feelings.

The meetings offer an exchange of information and emotional support.

The next session will be held on Thursday, June 21 (venue to be arranged).

Anyone wanting further information can ring Ms Baxtrem or Ms Johnson on 01642-854644.