Newham residents are being urged to vote for their favourite heart rehabilitation team which has been shortlisted in a national competition.

The Newham Cardiac Rehabilitation Team has been shortlisted in the British Heart Foundation and the British Cardiovascular Society’s ‘Celebrating Cardiac Rehabilitation’ Awards 2011.

You can now play your part in deciding which of the ten teams will win. The phone lines opened on 6 June and close on July 4 at 9am. The number to call to vote for the Newham Cardiac Rehabilitation team is: 0901 121 0306.

You can also email your vote via: celebratingcardiacrehab@gmail.com, Put Newham Community Cardiac Rehab in the Subject box.

The winner will be decided by a telephone and email vote, and an expert panel. The top three teams will be announced at the end of July. The winning team will win �2000 and there are two runner-up prizes of �500.

Newham has the highest rate of mortality from Cardiovascular Disease in the UK. The team are continually finding new ways to support people to improve their level of fitness and reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. They run exercise programmes and walking groups – daytime and evening sessions. They have produced an exercise dvd to encourage less mobile patients to continue exercising at home. This has been translated into five languages. Members of the team undertake outreach work and visit community groups and businesses. Their latest venture is to focus on minicab drivers and offer a health check to monitor risk factors.

Dr Robert Dolan, Chief Executive of East London NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Newham Cardiac Rehabilitation Team provides an impressive and vital service to people in Newham. I would like to congratulate the team on their success in being shortlisted for this award and urge people in Newham to vote for them. Cardiovascular disease is a major challenge to our 21st century lifestyles. Prevention is key in ensuring that we reduce the number of people in this borough affected by this condition.”