Patients in Oxfordshire suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease could soon be wearing special vests so that doctors can monitor their condition 24 hours a day.

Designed by a team of medics based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, the ground-breaking underwear has built-in sensors to record vital signs such as heart rate and breathing. With help from wireless technology, that information can then be sent to specialists who can find out how a patient is coping and decide whether they need to change their medication or lifestyle.

The £100 vests are being made by a Chinese lingerie company specialising in second skin garments, and mimic the design of one of their best-selling pregnancy support 'belly bras'.

They are due to be tested by 10 patients later this spring during three-month trials. Dr Paul Johnson, director of the telemonitoring company Xenetec, which is behind the concept, said once the information had been downloaded at the computer centre, it could be sent back to patients or their carers via post, e-mail, fax or text message, with advice on how to improve their condition.

He said: "The vest will measure very accurately and constantly how a patient breaths and their heart rate. We could even add oxygen sensors to it as well.

"We can use it to look at a range of patients with chronic diseases, such as hypertension, heat failure, diabetes and even asthma. The big advantage is that it can be used by people with very poor lifestyles to help them improve their health.

"It's a way of catching people before they need hospital treatment, without putting a huge demand on medical services."

The Blue Tooth wireless technology which allows the sensors to transmit information to computers has been designed by Medify Solutions.

Chief executive Jonathon Bryant said: "The potential for remote monitoring of patients is very large."