Recommended Hospital in CM for Cardiact multislice imaging

[jonwilly]

Gents lately I have been suffering with a lack of breath after any strenuous effort.

Talking to Non Medical friends a Multi Slice in MRI machine, for the heart has been recommended.

I have used the Ram since I first came to CM but folk say there may be a better/cheaper alternative.

Any serious information appreciated.

 

john

[stuartd1]

I would be very reluctant to offer medical advice to you, however I would advise you seek impartial medical advice by consulting an independent general practitioner as to the best way forward. I go to Dr. Morgan at the Health Care Medical Clinic on Hang Dong Rd. I think this better than approaching a hospital direct as they are, after all, very commercial operations.

Good luck.

[sappersrest]

Hi Jon

It may not need something as drastic as having a mri scan. Had similar problems with some slight chest pains, after all the usual tests blood, X-rays  ECG, Echo cardiogram and the old treadmill I was passed as ok, The specialist  changed my hypertension tablets (had been given the incorrect ones at another clinic) and I have been ok since. Cost about 11k

Recently I had a DVT and was treated by the same specialist with  a good outcome.

The hospital was Lanna hospital ( part of the Ram group but cheaper ) on the super Highway and the specialist was Dr Supachai speaks good english and is very thorough. first class hospital and staff.

Room fees 2,400 per night inc nursing and food private modern room with ensuite etc.

[Bill97]

Talk to a doctor, do some basic tests before considering an expensive MRI.


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[jonwilly]

Cheers Sapper

A friend recommended the Lanna, mentioning that they are part of the RAM group.

Just gathering information at the moment, early days.

Bit warrery of speaking to my GP as Thai Drs have this thing about referrals, sort of selling you on to a fellow DR.

 

john

Understand if any Stents are required I'm looking at B100,000 per stent.

[sappersrest]

Jon you may not need anything as drastic just go and see Dr Supachia the cardiologist at Lanna, failing that I know a few ex REME fitters who may be able to sort you out on the cheap.

take care .Frank

[Dante99]

8 hours ago, jonwilly said:

Cheers Sapper

A friend recommended the Lanna, mentioning that they are part of the RAM group.

Just gathering information at the moment, early days.

Bit warrery of speaking to my GP as Thai Drs have this thing about referrals, sort of selling you on to a fellow DR.

 

john

Understand if any Stents are required I'm looking at B100,000 per stent.

Stents?  Your problem may not even be your heart.  To see a doctor, if you choose go see a cardiologist or two.  All the unfounded speculation is a waste of time.

 

Supachai at Lana has followers but I have seen him and prefer Ram.  Lana may be a little cheaper, just a little, but it is your health not your old truck.

[NancyL]

Any cardiologist is going to recommend that you start with blood tests, a chest xray, ECG and stress echo cardiogram (i.e. not just a regular treadmill stress test, but one where they do an echocardiogram just before you get on the treadmill and one right after you get off the treadmill, to see what your heart looks like at rest and under loading)  These rather simple and inexpensive tests can tell much.  Much diagnosis can be done with these results without the need to go onto something as expensive as multi-slice MRI.  

 

In casual reading, it appears that the benefit of multi-slice MRI is as a non-invasive replacement to cardiac catheterization to assess coronary artery stenosis.  In the absence of chest pain, he could be having other problems like heart valve issues, which would show up well with the other tests. 

[jonwilly]

Thank you Nancy

No Chest pain just notice a shortage of breath.

Remember 2 old friends both no longer with us who both had the Muli slice and in each case they did not need Stents.

 

john

[jonwilly]

Thank you Nancy

No Chest pain just notice a shortage of breath.

Remember 2 old friends both no longer with us who both had the Muli slice and in each case they did not need Stents.

 

john

[NancyL]

Many people don't like doing a stress echo because it involves work, i.e. putting on your exercise shoes and getting on a treadmill, but it's the gold standard for determining if you have heart valve problems, if your blood pressure rises or heart rhythm changes upon exertion.

 

I was born with several congenital heart defects, not all of which were repaired with surgery, so I have a stress echo every 18 months or so to access the function of my compromised heart valves. Fortunately, I still can perform as well as 95% of women of my age, and that's "normal" women, so no need to consider surgery at this time, but what causes them to "call off" my stress echo is when I simply "run out of air" due to shortness of breath.

 

Hubby, however, had his first stress echo ever a couple years ago, way overdue.  He was confident he'd out outlast me on the treadmill.  But, much to his surprise, they stopped the test after five minutes.  He said he could go much longer, he was feeling fine and his wife can usually go 10 minutes or more before calling it off.  The reason they stopped him was because his blood pressure had shot up to dangerous levels.  You see, normally they stop the test once someone's BP or heart rate reaches a predetermined level based on the subject's age.  If the subject has chest pain or shortness of breath during the test, these problems can be investigated.  The echocardiogram right after the test, during the chest pain or shortness of breath, may show the cause.

 

This test may have been a lifesaver for Hubby to get him to see a cardiologist to start taking BP meds and develop an exercise program that involves activity more strenuous than long walks.