Professor Brian Kirby, OBE

Co-author of How to Live to 110

Brian Kirby worked in British hospitals for more than 40 years diagnosing and treating all types of illness. In the 1960s he was among the doctors who realised that heart disease could largely be prevented. He helped found the Coronary Prevention Group (a national charity) and one of the first clinics to help people give up smoking, which became a model for others around the UK.

Brian has carried out research on heart and lung disease in particular, and has been the author or co-author of more than 200 scientific articles and reviews. He has chaired or worked on several government committees. These include the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals and committees to ensure the safety of every medicine available in the UK (including homeopathic medicines). In 1997 he received an OBE for his work.

He ‘retired’ in 2001, but then worked regularly for the General Medical Council for five years, and he still teaches regularly as well as remaining active in the field of heart disease prevention. He is a board member of the National Heart Forum.

Now 77, he’s fit and active, and visits a gym twice a week with his wife Rachel for circuit and weight training. In recent years he has travelled extensively in Asia and Europe, and he goes skiing as often as he can.

MEDICAL EDUCATION IN EXETER