FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

What does ‘early coronary disease’ mean?

A couple of things:

  1. You have risk factors for coronary heart disease:

    High blood pressure

    Raised non-HDL cholesterol.

    Pre-diabetes or diabetes.

    Excess weight around your middle

    Sedentary lifestyle.

    Poor diet.

  2. You have a family history of coronary heart disease

  3. You have a high calcium score on a coronary artery CT.

  4. You have evidence of coronary disease on angiogram (CT or with a catheter via the wrist).

Does health coaching work?

It does. Evidence shows that health coaching is an effective intervention for modifying disease risk factors. It has been shown to improve physical activity, health related quality of life, diet and stress levels.

In 2010, the British Heart Foundation reviewed international strategies for improving heart health and two out of three of the most effective, including the most successful, used health coaching as an intervention.

Are you a real doctor?

Yes! I have a medical degree which allows me to use the title ‘Dr’. I am on the GMC register (GMC number 4633460).

However, I have given up my license to practise medicine due to my eye condition. This means I am unable to provide medical advice, diagnose, investigate or treat health conditions.

Heart Smart Kickstart is a coaching programme and I will be working in this capacity only.

If you have specific medical concerns about your heart, I will refer you to your GP or cardiologist to address them.

Can you write me a meal plan?

No. I can provide you with information on how to make healthier food choices and how best to eat to optimise your heart health. Any information I provide has the appropriate sources referenced so you can go away and read more if you so choose.

However, I cannot provide you with a personalised meal plan as I am not a dietician or nutritionist. Of course, if a doctor or dietician has suggested you follow a specific diet, I can support you to stick to it.

Can I really slow the progression or prevent heart disease?

Yes! Lifestyle management is the cornerstone of both primary (preventing it from developing in the first place) and secondary (stopping it progressing in the early stages) prevention of coronary artery disease.

How long are your programmes?

The Essential programme is 6 sessions of coaching (1 x 90 minutes and 5 x 60 minutes) to be taken over a maximum of 8 weeks.

The Signature and Ultimate programmes are 10 sessions of coaching (1 x 90 minutes and 9 x 60 minutes) to be taken over a maximum of 12 weeks.