A BRITISH Heart Foundation appeal aiming to fund vital equipment for East Lancashire patients has hit the jackpot.

The Heart of Blackburn Appeal has reached its goal of £128,000 which wll see a new 3D echocardiograph machine for Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The new piece of equipment will enable specialised tests which look at the structure of the heart, called echocardiographs, to be taken at the hospital.

A fundraising appeal to help purchase the machine was launched in May last year. Now it is at the hospital the machine could save thousands of lives in the area.

Echocardiographs are used to diagnose certain cardiovascular diseases, and is one of the most widely used diagnostic tests for heart disease.

Its use involves a probe being placed on the chest and a pulse of high frequency sound being passed through the skin.

The echoes reflected by the pulse show as a picture on a screen.

The images provide extremely accurate and detailed information about the structure, valves and pumping action of the heart, help doctors to make more informed and speedier diagnoses.

The BHF have said they want to thank Lancashire residents for helping to raise vital funds towards the cost of the machine.

Barbara Dunn, BHF fundraising and volunteer manager in Blackburn, said: “Heart disease is the nation’s biggest killer and this life-saving piece of equipment will greatly increase the chances of survival among patients in the town.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to those who have fundraised in Blackburn and East Lancashire to have this fantastic equipment in their local hospital.

“We are thrilled with the success of this appeal and are delighted to announce that the machine is on order and will be arriving at the hospital soon.”

For more information about the BHF’s work, visit bhf.org.uk.