Coastal Cardiology

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Coastal Cardiology

Dr Chris Critoph Consultant Cardiologist based in Bournemouth, Dorset.

12/08/2026

Waiting for answers about your heart can be worrying.

Waiting times vary considerably across the country, and our local cardiac services often perform better than national averages. However, some people may prefer an earlier specialist assessment, seek a second opinion, or simply want more time to understand their symptoms and the options available.

At Coastal Cardiology, we offer private consultations and cardiac investigations tailored to each patient’s needs. Our team can explain the services available, current appointment times and likely costs, without obligation.

To find out more, please contact the team.

For urgent or severe symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention.

05/08/2026

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.

29/07/2026

As a cardiologist, I talk about heart health every day, but I want to share something more personal.

Last year I had to perform CPR at a party I was attending. Not in a hospital. Not with monitors and a full team. Just people, panic, and seconds that mattered.

That moment reinforced something I’ve always known: cardiac arrest doesn’t wait for the “right” setting. It happens in homes, at celebrations, at work, in everyday life. And the difference between life and death often comes down to whether someone nearby knows what to do.

CPR isn’t complicated. You don’t need to be a doctor. You just need the confidence to act. Early CPR can double, even triple, survival rates.

Learning CPR is one of the most powerful, practical skills you can ever have. You may never need it… but if you do, you’ll never regret knowing it.

Please consider taking a CPR course. You could save a life - maybe someone you love.

22/07/2026

You may have never heard of CPET, but it's actually a very common, non-invasive, investigation used to assess the performance of the heart and lungs at rest and during exercise.

A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test is used either to assess a patient who is scheduled for major surgery, to give doctors an idea of the risk, and to understand whether a patient’s symptoms are due to a heart problem, a lung problem, generalised physical deconditioning or something else.

So, what is actually involved and what does it measure? Find out more here - https://www.coastalcardiology.co.uk/sports-cardiology/

If you feel you would benefit from a consultation to discuss exercise and your heart, get in touch [email protected] or call 01202 084550.

08/07/2026

There is a reason why many people are opting to pay for healthcare privately.

Firstly, you get to be seen without delay… and one of the best benefits, in fact, is you are guaranteed to see me at each and every visit, not a junior doctor.

There are no waiting lists or delays. Consultations last 45 minutes for new patients, and 30 minutes for follow ups, which gives us lots of time to fully discuss your individual concerns and options for treatment, with all the time you need to answer any questions you may have, big or small.

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; you can make an appointment to see me at a time that suits you. Just give us a call on 01202 084550 and speak to one of my team to get you booked in.

01/07/2026

If you are experiencing any heart pain, there is never any harm in getting it checked, but here are a few occasions where you should seek more urgent attention

• Chest pain or discomfort that feels like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or burning
• Pain that spreads to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
• Sweating, nausea, or light-headedness
• Sudden fatigue or feeling faint
• Pain lasting more than a few minutes, or that comes and goes
• Occurs during physical activity or stress and eases with rest

It's always safer to rule out a heart issue than to ignore something serious.

24/06/2026

Blood pressure is one of the most important indicators of your heart and overall health, yet many people aren’t sure what the numbers really mean.

Here’s a simple breakdown: Normal blood pressure

Typically around 120/80 mmHg
This suggests your heart and arteries are working efficiently, with minimal strain on your cardiovascular system.

High blood pressure (hypertension)
Generally considered 140/90 mmHg or higher - This means your heart is working harder than it should be, which over time can increase the risk of:
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney problems

The important thing to remember: High blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms, which is why it’s sometimes called the “silent condition”. That’s why regular checks are so important, especially if you have a family history, are over 40, or have other risk factors.

The good news? With the right lifestyle changes and medical support, blood pressure can often be managed very effectively.

If you’re unsure about your readings or haven’t had a check recently, it may be worth speaking to a healthcare professional for reassurance.

17/06/2026

How heart-healthy is your lifestyle?

Let’s do a quick check-in together...

Be honest with yourself as you read through these:
✅ Do you move your body for at least 30 minutes most days?
✅ Do you eat a balanced diet with fruit, veg, and whole foods?
✅ Do you know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels?
✅ Do you get 7–9 hours of quality sleep most nights?
✅ Do you manage stress in a healthy way (not just “push through it”)?
✅ Do you avoid smoking and keep alcohol within recommended limits?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, you’re likely doing a lot of things right for your heart health. If not, don’t worry, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness and small, meaningful changes over time. Your heart doesn’t need extremes…it needs consistency.

As a cardiologist, one of the most important things I see is this; heart disease is often preventable when we understand our risk early and act on it.

If you’re unsure where you stand, a simple heart health check can provide real peace of mind. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more.

10/06/2026

Putting our patients at ease is paramount to us.

We know that going through a surgery can be a daunting experience for many people, so ensuring that you know exactly what your procedure is, how we will carry it out, and your recovery, is explained to you in full beforehand.

If you would like to book a consultation with me personally to be seen directly – simply click the link below.

I hold regular clinics at the Nuffield Hospital and the Dorset Heart Clinic based at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. You don’t need a GP referral to book yourself an appointment.

Book here - https://www.coastalcardiology.co.uk/consultation/

03/06/2026

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 drop dead on football pitches and can be tragic. Thankfully the majority of cases are much less serious, although many patients have symptoms. 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!

Address

Nuffield Hospital Bournemouth 67 Lansdowne Road Bournemouth
Bournemouth
BH11RW

Website

https://www.coastalcardiology.co.uk/

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