The LIFE - Longevity Insights For Everyone

Dr Hugh Coyne and Dr Lucy Hooper

Unlock the science of living longer and better with The LIFE, hosted by Dr. Lucy Hooper and Dr. Hugh Coyne of Coyne Medical. This podcast cuts through the noise to bring you evidence-based strategies for optimizing your long-term health. In each episode, we dive deep into the critical biomarkers and medical insights that shape your future. From decoding Lipoprotein(a) and understanding inherited cancer genetics to mastering hypertension goals and boosting your VO2 max, we provide the actionable knowledge you need to take control of your longevity. Join us as we explore the cutting edge of preventative medicine, making complex health topics accessible for everyone. Subscribe now to start your journey toward a healthier future.

Episodes

  1. Jun 23

    Why 10 Years Is Not Enough: The Lifetime Approach to Heart Disease Prevention

    Cardiovascular disease is still the number one cause of death in the UK, but 80% of those deaths are preventable. But most doctors are using risk calculators that focus only on risk in the next 10 years. In this episode, Dr Lucy Hooper and Dr Hugh Coyne unpack why standard 10-year cardiovascular risk scores miss a huge proportion of preventable disease, particularly in younger adults, women, and those with a strong family history. They explain why the UK lags behind both European and American guidelines on this, and what lifetime risk models can show that a 10-year window does not. They cover the biology of atherosclerosis and how plaque builds silently over decades before rupturing without warning. They discuss lifetime LDL cholesterol exposure, why two people with identical blood results can have very different true risk, the emerging concept of plaque thresholds, and the extraordinary early-stage gene-editing treatments targeting PCSK9 that could offer a one-time cholesterol reduction lasting a lifetime. They also walk through how they use lifetime risk calculators in the clinic at Coyne Medical to have better, more empowering conversations with patients, and why the goal is not just to avoid a heart attack tomorrow, but to still be well and active at your grandchildren's wedding. Topics covered: Why 10-year risk scores underestimate risk in younger people, women, and those with family historyWhat atherosclerosis actually is and why plaque rupture happens without warningLifetime LDL cholesterol exposure as an emerging clinical toolThe non-HDL risk and LPA clinical guidance calculators used at Coyne MedicalPCSK9 gene-editing treatments and the future of cholesterol managementWhy risk factors in cardiovascular disease multiply rather than simply addThe lifestyle levers that matter most: physical activity, sleep, diet, stress, smoking, alcoholCoyne Medical is a private preventive medicine clinic based in Fulham, London. Find out more at coynemedical.com.

  2. Apr 3

    The Cholesterol Test Your Doctor Probably Hasn't Ordered Yet

    Your cholesterol results came back "normal" — but are you actually safe? In this episode, Dr. Lucy Hooper and Dr. Hugh Coyne dive into apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the single most important marker for understanding your true cardiovascular risk — and one that most people have never had checked. They break down the science in plain English: why all cholesterol is actually the same molecule, how it travels around your body packaged in different "wrappers," and crucially, why only the particles carrying an ApoB protein can burrow into your artery walls and trigger the chain of events that leads to heart attacks and strokes. You'll learn: Why "good" and "bad" cholesterol is an oversimplification that can mislead youWhat discordance means — and why roughly 1 in 5 people get the wrong picture from a standard lipid panelWhat your ApoB number should actually be (and it's probably lower than your doctor's target)How diet, exercise, and medications can all move the needleWhy this simple, affordable blood test isn't yet routine on the NHS — and why that needs to change Whether you have a family history of heart disease, existing risk factors, or you simply want to take ownership of your long-term health, this episode gives you the knowledge to have a much more informed conversation with your doctor. Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death globally — and up to 80% of it is preventable. ApoB testing might just be the missing piece of your puzzle. Dr. Lucy Hooper and Dr. Hugh Coyne are GPs and longevity medicine doctors. This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before making changes to your health.

About

Unlock the science of living longer and better with The LIFE, hosted by Dr. Lucy Hooper and Dr. Hugh Coyne of Coyne Medical. This podcast cuts through the noise to bring you evidence-based strategies for optimizing your long-term health. In each episode, we dive deep into the critical biomarkers and medical insights that shape your future. From decoding Lipoprotein(a) and understanding inherited cancer genetics to mastering hypertension goals and boosting your VO2 max, we provide the actionable knowledge you need to take control of your longevity. Join us as we explore the cutting edge of preventative medicine, making complex health topics accessible for everyone. Subscribe now to start your journey toward a healthier future.