Coastal Cardiology

Coastal Cardiology Dr Chris Critoph Consultant Cardiologist based in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Last week marked a big milestone - 10 years since I started my consultant cardiologist role in Bournemouth. It’s flown b...
14/10/2025

Last week marked a big milestone - 10 years since I started my consultant cardiologist role in Bournemouth.

It’s flown by, but looking back, so much has changed. When I first began, there was no heart failure service. Now, thanks to my incredible team, we’re the seventh largest service in the UK in terms of patients, with great clinical results.

The past decade has also seen huge advances in cardiology: Imaging is now more detailed, accurate, and safer — we can see inside stents, detect early disease, and personalise treatment using state of the art CT scanners.

Tests like echocardiography and cardiac MRI have evolved giving us even clearer insights into how the heart works and help us diagnose conditions earlier. Beyond imaging there’s so much more happening, from life-changing new medicines to AI technology and personalised heart health.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a short blog series exploring these breakthroughs and what they mean for the future of heart care.

Become a member to get access - https://www.coastalcardiology.co.uk/members/ Here’s to a decade of learning, progress and saving hearts, and to the exciting years ahead.

Go Sober for October This month is the perfect time to hit pause on alcohol and give your heart a little extra love. As ...
08/10/2025

Go Sober for October

This month is the perfect time to hit pause on alcohol and give your heart a little extra love. As a cardiologist, I know how lifestyle choices affect cardiovascular health, and even small changes can make a big difference.

Cutting out alcohol for just 31 days can:
❤️ Lower your blood pressure
💪 Improve heart function and circulation
🌙 Boost sleep and energy
⚖️ Help maintain a healthy weight
🧠 Support mental well-being

Whether you’re doing it to raise money for a good cause, to reset your habits, or to simply feel better, your heart will feel the benefits. So why not take the challenge?

Go sober this October, and give your heart the care it deserves.

Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the world's number one killer, killing more than 20.5 million people a year....
29/09/2025

Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the world's number one killer, killing more than 20.5 million people a year.

This figure isn't designed to scare you, but to remind you how important it is to look after your heart! Which is why, today, on World Heart Day, I want you to think about the ways you can make small changes to your lifestyle – what you eat and drink, how much you exercise, and how you manage stress – to help better manage your heart health.

Understandably, this cause means a lot to me, so I would love for you to take just 5 minutes out of your day to click on the link below, read a little more about what World Heart Day is all about, get involved, and discover the small changes you can take that will make a BIG difference!

https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/get-involved/

There are many different sorts of inherited heart problems, for example high cholesterol, angina, high blood pressure, h...
24/09/2025

There are many different sorts of inherited heart problems, for example high cholesterol, angina, high blood pressure, heart attacks.

These sorts of problems are often influenced by many factors in addition to your genes, for example smoking, diabetes, obesity, diet and so on. As a result, although there are genetic components, it is often not practical to pin the problem down to a particular gene. Other inherited problems, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, are much more strongly linked with genes. This is the condition that is often to blame when young people tragically die on football pitches.

There are many more, and they are often grouped together and called ‘cardiomyopathies’. If you have a family history of heart trouble, especially if you have any symptoms, it is important to get it assessed by a specialist. This is because often the earlier a problem is found, even if you feel well, a specialist can make recommendations to prevent it getting worse in the future.

I run the largest dedicated clinic for inherited heart disease in the south of England, with my team including a genetic nurse counsellor. This means we can check your genes for certain conditions, which can help for example in knowing if your own siblings or children need to get screened too. Remember prevention is better than cure!

Have you ever heard of Postprandial Movement? What it is: Walking for just 10 - 15 minutes after a meal, especially lunc...
03/09/2025

Have you ever heard of Postprandial Movement?

What it is: Walking for just 10 - 15 minutes after a meal, especially lunch or dinner, to help regulate blood sugar and lighten the load on your cardiovascular system.

Why it works: After eating, blood sugar and triglycerides spike. A light walk:
• Reduces post-meal glucose surges
• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Lowers inflammation
• Supports healthy cholesterol metabolism
• May reduce arterial stiffness, especially after high-fat meals It's also great for digestion and stress relief - two silent players in long-term heart health.

The proverb "prevention is better than cure", is often very true when it comes to dealing with cardiology issues. Tests ...
27/08/2025

The proverb "prevention is better than cure", is often very true when it comes to dealing with cardiology issues. Tests can often uncover very minor issues, that if managed then and there, can prevent any further damage being caused.

That's not to say that I advise having tests unnecessarily, but if you have a history of heart disease in your family or have any niggling symptoms, it is better to get them checked sooner rather than later.

Hormones aren't just about moods or metabolism, they play a direct role in how your heart functions. Here's how: 1. Cort...
20/08/2025

Hormones aren't just about moods or metabolism, they play a direct role in how your heart functions.

Here's how:

1. Cortisol (Stress Hormone)
• Chronic stress = chronically elevated cortisol
• Leads to high blood pressure, inflammation, and increased risk of heart attacks

2. Oestrogen
• Before menopause, oestrogen offers a protective effect on the heart
• Post-menopause? That protection drops, and risk of heart disease rises sharply
• Oestrogen affects cholesterol levels, artery flexibility, and blood vessel health

3. Testosterone
• Low testosterone in men may be linked to increased cardiovascular risk, but high levels can also raise blood clot risks
• Balance is key

4. Thyroid Hormones
• Both hyperthyroidism (too much) and hypothyroidism (too little) can cause arrhythmias, heart palpitations, or heart failure over time

5. Insulin
• Insulin resistance (linked to diabetes) increases inflammation and arterial damage
• It’s a major driver of atherosclerosis and heart disease If you’re experiencing hormonal changes - menopause, thyroid issues, Polycystic ovaries, or high stress - your heart may be feeling it too.

Regular check-ups, blood work, and lifestyle adjustments can be lifesaving.

August is National Wellness Month and your heart wants a word.  As a cardiologist, I see what years of stress, poor slee...
13/08/2025

August is National Wellness Month and your heart wants a word.

As a cardiologist, I see what years of stress, poor sleep, and inactivity can do to the human body. But I also see the incredible impact small, consistent changes can make.

This month isn’t about fad diets or overnight transformations. It’s about knowing what your heart needs.

Move more - Aim for at least 30 minutes of brisk activity most days. Walk, dance, swim, garden, it doesn’t matter what it is.

Sleep well - 7–8 hours per night isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.

Eat colourfully - More plants, less processed; your arteries will thank you.

Unplug regularly - Chronic stress is a silent killer and your nervous system needs rest, too.

Check your numbers - Blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose. Don’t ignore the dashboard.

Talk about it - Mental and emotional health matters just as much as physical health.

Remember: Prevention is far more powerful (and less scary) than treatment. So let’s not just celebrate Wellness Month, let’s live it.

Every patient and every case is different so when you come to see me at Coastal Cardiology, you will receive a personali...
06/08/2025

Every patient and every case is different so when you come to see me at Coastal Cardiology, you will receive a personalised service just for you.

We will take the time to discuss your symptoms in detail, carry out all the necessary tests to reach a diagnosis, have a full consultation to discuss the results and make a clear and concise plan to move forward. You are guaranteed a warm reception at the clinic, which is in a nice environment, and we are used to putting people at ease. You also get to see me at your convenience; just book an appointment to see me at a time that suits you.

I look forward to seeing you.

Did you know we offer a private members area of our website? This exclusive space is offered on an annual subscription b...
30/07/2025

Did you know we offer a private members area of our website?

This exclusive space is offered on an annual subscription basis and gives members access to a backlog of articles and blog posts dating back to 2018, which is added to, and updated, on a weekly basis.

If you are someone with an interest in the medical world, particularly anything heart related, or perhaps you want to optimise your life to live with good health for as long as you are able, this could be for you.

To see an example of the content included, visit https://www.coastalcardiology.co.uk/join-the-coastal-cardiology-private-members-area/.

‘Knowledge is power’ may sound cliché, but by reading my weekly articles and watching my videos, so many members have been successful in making positive changes - it is inspirational to hear their stories and feedback.

There are some amazing stats surrounding the world of cardiology, and I thought you might be interested to know a few of...
23/07/2025

There are some amazing stats surrounding the world of cardiology, and I thought you might be interested to know a few of them…

• Ancient Egyptians believed the heart was the centre of intelligence and emotion, not the brain, which is why during mummification, they removed the brain but preserved the heart because it would be needed in the afterlife for judgment.
• In 1780, Luigi Galvani discovered that electricity could make a frog’s heart twitch - laying the foundation for our modern understanding of electrophysiology and defibrillation.
• Dr. Ludwig Rehn in Germany performed the first successful heart surgery - he sutured a stab wound to the right ventricle in 1896.
• In 1958, the first internal pacemaker was implanted - but earlier prototypes in the 1950s were external boxes plugged into wall outlets.
• Until the 1960s, closed-chest cardiac massage (now called CPR) was not standard. Before that, most cardiac arrests were treated with open-chest compressions or direct massage during surgery - obviously impractical outside an OR.

Any that really surprised you?

At Coastal Cardiology, your heart health is our priority. We offer comprehensive cardiac care services, including heart ...
03/07/2025

At Coastal Cardiology, your heart health is our priority.

We offer comprehensive cardiac care services, including heart health check-ups, diagnostic tests, and personalised treatment plans. Whether you need routine monitoring or specialised care, we're here to help you every step of the way.

Visit www.coastalcadiology.co.uk to find out more about our services and book your appointment today.

Your heart deserves the best care.

Address

Nuffield Hospital Bournemouth 67 Lansdowne Road Bournemouth
Bournemouth
BH11RW

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