Live longer — and better
There’s an overwhelming amount of “wellness” content online. As a practicing NHS Consultant Cardiologist with an additional medical research degree, I use evidence-based medicine alongside practical lifestyle strategies to help you extend both healthspan (years in good health) and lifespan.
Dr Chris Critoph — Consultant Cardiologist | Sports Cardiology | Health Optimisation & Longevity
“Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits daily to attain better physical and mental health — so that instead of just surviving, you’re thriving.”
We only get one life.
I take care to practice what I preach. I’m passionate about exercise—particularly strength training and smart endurance training—and I pay close attention to nutrition in my own daily life. This page (and my concise guide) is a prompt to focus on what matters most, based on science. There’s plenty of misinformation; my aim is to steer you in the right direction with clear, actionable steps that improve how you feel and reduce long-term disease risk.
Prevention is better than cure.
Who this is for
• You want to age well and reduce future disease risk
• Family history of heart disease or stroke
• Concerns about cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, or glucose
• You’re active and want a performance-and-longevity plan
• You simply want a baseline and a personalised action plan
What we assess (tailored to you)
• Cardiovascular health: Examination, blood pressure, ECG, echocardiogram (as indicated)
• Advanced lipids: Apolipoprotein B (apoB), Lipoprotein(a), triglycerides/HDL, hs-CRP
• Metabolic health: HbA1c, fasting glucose/insulin where useful
• Fitness & body composition: VO₂-max or exercise testing, DEXA (if desired), strength and power markers (e.g., grip strength, sit-to-stand, loaded carries), balance
• Genetic risk: Polygenic risk scores and family pedigree review when appropriate
• Imaging: CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA) if indicated, to visualise early plaque — the best non-invasive way to assess future heart-attack risk
Nothing is “one-size-fits-all”: we choose tests that change decisions, not just create data.
How I tailor exercise & nutrition
Your plan is bespoke—not just to your goals, but to your age, sex, training history, injury history, preferences, and available time.
• Strength training: progressive overload for major movement patterns (squat/hinge/push/pull/carry), with volume and intensity adjusted to training age and recovery capacity.
• Endurance: a foundation of Zone 2 work for mitochondrial health, with VO₂ intervals for performance and longevity benefits when appropriate.
• Power & balance: especially important as we age; incorporated safely and progressively.
• Nutrition: pragmatic protein and fibre targets, lipid-lowering patterns when needed, and strategies you can actually implement (no fads).
• Recovery: sleep, stress management, and micro-habits that make consistency easier.
This approach is inspired in part by thinking popularised by Dr Peter Attia: we all decline with age, but the rate of decline is profoundly modifiable. Train now for the capabilities you want in your 60s, 70s and beyond—so you can still do the things that make life meaningful.
Your longevity plan — what you’ll leave with
• A clear risk map and priorities specific to you
• Exercise prescription (strength, Zone 2, VO₂ intervals, power/balance) aligned to your goals and cardiac findings
• Nutrition strategy you can sustain (protein/fibre targets; lipid-lowering patterns; CGM where helpful)
• Sleep & recovery optimisation; stress strategies; alcohol/tobacco harm-reduction
• Medications when indicated (e.g., lipid-lowering including PCSK9/inclisiran; blood-pressure optimisation; GLP-1 weight-management where appropriate)
• A concise written report and follow-up plan
Why choose Coastal Cardiology
• Consultant-led care — you see Dr Chris Critoph personally
• Expertise across sports cardiology, advanced lipids, genetics, and CT coronary angiography
• Precision-prevention that’s healthspan-focused and practical
• Calm, private environment at Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital
• Clear explanations and actionable advice; ongoing support
I’m not only a Consultant Cardiologist — I’m an expert in sports cardiology, health optimisation, and longevity medicine. I integrate the latest evidence in cardiovascular prevention, exercise physiology, nutrition, and metabolic health to improve both lifespan and healthspan.
Patient story
“I am 72 years old with a few problems. One having a leaky heart valve and a few creaky aching joints. For years I have suffered with an achy lower back on rising from my bed in the morning which usually but not always subsides as the day goes on. I have always kept myself fit by gardening, walking and swimming but several months ago I suffered with sciatica which was very painful and I was unable to walk for a few weeks. Dr Critoph has always recommended doing weight exercise to strengthen my core, and stretches to maintain movement as I age. It was something I was always going to do but didn’t get around to it.
After I visited an osteopath for a few week to sort out my sciatica I enrolled with a physiotherapist. He tested my body for strength and organised a schedule of exercises starting gently and increasing using weights. After instructions on how to use and position my body were explained I am feeling so much better and do not get up each morning with an aching back and can do gardening with more confidence.
My core strength has increased and I am more stable.
I do wish I had started the exercises years ago but it certainly isn’t too late to start.”
– Joyce, 72
Fees and transparency
The fee for an initial consultation is £285 (history, examination, and strategy discussion).
Any further investigations (bloods, DEXA, exercise test, CTCA, etc.) are charged separately.
No tests are performed without full discussion of costs in advance, so you can decide exactly what’s right for you.
Get the free guide & email tips
I’ve made my Wellness / Healthspan Guide free, with short email tips alongside it.
Fill out the form below to receive your copy. You can unsubscribe at any time — though I recommend reading the first few emails; if the guide interests you, the emails will too.
Book a consultation
Call 01202 084550 • info@coastalcardiology.co.uk