Dr Christopher Cook

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Physiology – First Class Honours, University College London (2006)
• MBBS – Distinction in Clinical Science and Clinical Practice, University College London (2009)
• Proxime Accessit Gold Medal in Medicine – University of London (2009)
• MRCP (UK) – Royal College of Physicians, London (2012)
• PhD – Doctor of Philosophy, Imperial College London (2019)

Undergraduate Medical Education

I graduated from University College London (UCL) in 2009. During my undergraduate medical training, I also completed an intercalated degree in Physiology, achieving First Class Honours.

During my time at UCL, I was awarded multiple academic distinctions, including the prestigious Proxime Accessit Gold Medal in Medicine from the University of London, recognising outstanding academic achievement, alongside the Atchison Prize for overall MBBS performance.

Ultimately, these achievements reflect my longstanding commitment to clinical excellence and evidence-based medicine — something I continue to prioritise in the care I provide to every patient.

Awards & Academic Prizes

• EuroPCR Best Oral Abstract Award (2015)
• IVCC Young Cardiologist of the Year Award (2014)
• Proxime Accessit Gold Medal in Medicine – University of London (2010)
• 4th Atchison Prize – Overall MBBS Performance, UCL (2010)
• Magrath Prize – Overall Academic Performance, UCL (2008)
• John Murray & Sir William Gowers Prize, UCL (2008)
• Atchison Suckling & Temple Frere Prize, UCL (2008)
• Sarkany Prize, UCL (2008)
• Boldero & Shelley Prize, UCL (2008)
• Dean’s List Outstanding Candidate, UCL (2007)

Postgraduate Clinical Cardiology Training

With more than 16 years of clinical experience, I completed specialist cardiology training through the highly competitive National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Academic Clinical Fellowship programme in Cardiology.

I trained across several internationally recognised cardiac centres, including:

• Royal Brompton Hospital
• Harefield Hospital
• St Mary’s Hospital London
• Hammersmith Hospital

During this time, I developed broad expertise in general cardiology alongside advanced subspecialty training in interventional cardiology and structural heart disease.

My advanced procedural training included a dedicated TAVI Fellowship at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, where I developed expertise in complex minimally invasive heart valve interventions.

I now practise as a Consultant Cardiologist at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, combining high-volume procedural experience with an active academic and research profile to provide contemporary, evidence-based cardiovascular care for patients across Essex and London.

Postgraduate Academic Cardiology Education & Training

I hold a prestigious Medical Research Council (MRC)-funded PhD from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London.

My doctoral research focused on the advanced diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease and coronary angioplasty, reflecting my longstanding commitment to innovation and evidence-based cardiovascular medicine.

Alongside my clinical practice, I maintain an active international academic profile and hold a joint academic appointment at Anglia Ruskin University, where I lead the Structural Cardiology Research Group.

To date, I have authored more than 150 scientific publications, with over 7,000 academic citations, across the fields of interventional cardiology and structural heart disease — particularly minimally invasive heart valve therapies.

For my patients, this means being cared for by a cardiologist with extensive specialist training, a strong evidence-based approach, and experience at the forefront of modern cardiovascular medicine.

Patient Advocacy, Innovation & Access to Care

Alongside my clinical and academic work, I am deeply committed to improving patient awareness, access to care, and equity within cardiovascular medicine — particularly for patients with heart valve disease.

I currently serve as a Trustee for Heart Valve Voice, a national patient charity dedicated to improving awareness of valvular heart disease and ensuring patients have access to the latest diagnostic technologies, specialist assessment pathways, and modern minimally invasive treatments.

I have also contributed to international consensus documents and policy discussions relating to the future organisation of valve disease care and structural cardiology services, including work aligned to NICE guidance and contemporary heart valve pathway development.

Within Essex, I founded and now clinically lead the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre Mitral TEER programme, helping establish a contemporary minimally invasive mitral valve service for patients with mitral regurgitation (leaking) who may otherwise have limited treatment options.

In addition, I have helped develop innovative patient pathway models across the Essex region designed to improve access to TAVI treatment, reduce inequalities in care, and accelerate referral-to-treatment times for patients with severe aortic stenosis.

For patients, this means being treated by a cardiologist who is not only focused on delivering excellent individual care, but who is also actively involved in improving the wider systems, pathways, and access to advanced treatments for future patients.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

• British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS) – Member
• British Heart Valve Society (BHVS) – Member
• Heart Valve Voice – Trustee
• EuroPCR – International Faculty
• PCR London Valves – International Faculty
• New York Valves (Cardiovascular Research Foundation) – International Faculty
• Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) – International Faculty