New equipment which could help save thousands of lives a year has been installed in a Norfolk hospital.

More people at risk from strokes and heart attacks will be diagnosed in time to treat them, after campaigners raised the money for a new treadmill at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The £20,000 machine has been bought using some of the £81,000 raised by the hospital's Healthy Hearts campaign.

The equipment is now being used to give specialist cardiac nursing and medical staff an accurate electronic readout of a patient's heart performance, highlighting any potential problem areas.

Hospital chief executive Dr Manjit Obhrai said: 'Heart and circulatory disease is the UK's biggest killer. Stroke is also a major cause of death – again related to cardiovascular disease, so being able to diagnose and treat heart conditions as early as possible is extremely important.

'This equipment will help with assessment after a heart-attack or a stroke. As people live longer with heart disease – a consequence of improved treatment and diagnosis – and the population grows older, more resources are needed to support patients with heart disease and those who have suffered a stroke.

'We are so grateful for the backing given by local people, particularly in these difficult times, and we would like to thank everyone who contributed. Your support will provide life saving benefits for 5,000 patients per year.'

The fundraising appeal was launched at the end of 2011, originally with a target of £200,000. However, once money was raised for the priority diagnostic equipment it was decided to close the appeal early, rather than run a prolonged campaign at a time when local families have many competing demands on their funds.