Need A Recommendation For A Heart Specialist In Chiang Mai

[camerata]

Can anyone recommend a specific heart specialist or at least a hospital with a good heart disease department in Chiang Mai? It would be best if a reasonable level of English is spoken. I'm also looking for the cost of a 64-slice CT-scan and an angioplasty in Chiang Mai. It's not for me, fortunately!

[Asmerom]

Can anyone recommend a specific heart specialist or at least a hospital with a good heart disease department in Chiang Mai? It would be best if a reasonable level of English is spoken. I'm also looking for the cost of a 64-slice CT-scan and an angioplasty in Chiang Mai. It's not for me, fortunately!

A Doctor, who specialises in heart problems, at the Sripat Medical Centre told me in April of this year that the best Cardiologist at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital was Dr. PATTARAPONG. I have no personal experience of this doctor.

Perhaps I should add that I went there myself to visit another heart doctor who failed to complete an utltra scan of my heart saying my bone structure or tissue was interfering with his machine. My Sripat doctor couldn't believe it, as she had already successfully completed the same scan without any problems. She wondered if the machinery they use at CMR was up to scratch.I had gone to CMR to seek a second opinion.

Edited August 13, 2009 by Asmerom

[Dustoff]

Can anyone recommend a specific heart specialist or at least a hospital with a good heart disease department in Chiang Mai? It would be best if a reasonable level of English is spoken. I'm also looking for the cost of a 64-slice CT-scan and an angioplasty in Chiang Mai. It's not for me, fortunately!

A Doctor, who specialises in heart problems, at the Sripat Medical Centre told me in April of this year that the best Cardiologist at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital was Dr. PATTARAPONG. I have no personal experience of this doctor.

I have seen this Cardiologist a few times for my annual blood tests, ECG, etc. and would recommend that you go to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok for ANYTHING other than routine check-ups. It only takes a few minutes of looking around in CM Ram to realize that it is a bit of a pit.

I have had my chest X-Rays done there for several years and took the latest one to the U.S. with me just two months ago. My doctor there looked at it and asked, "Is this a joke? THIS is the quality of their equipment in Thailand?!?" He did another and the difference was like comparing a modern-day television to a 1950's B&W 10" screen. I had already asked the above Cardio if he thought the X-Rays were of acceptable quality and he said, "Yes."

So much for honesty and quality of service. Thanks to modern technology elsewhere, I now know that I need to go in for a lung biopsy and will be heading to Bumrungrad to have it done. There is NO WAY I would let anyone in Chiang Mai perform this procedure...

[cmdream]

Can anyone recommend a specific heart specialist or at least a hospital with a good heart disease department in Chiang Mai? It would be best if a reasonable level of English is spoken. I'm also looking for the cost of a 64-slice CT-scan and an angioplasty in Chiang Mai. It's not for me, fortunately!

A Doctor, who specialises in heart problems, at the Sripat Medical Centre told me in April of this year that the best Cardiologist at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital was Dr. PATTARAPONG. I have no personal experience of this doctor.

I have seen this Cardiologist a few times for my annual blood tests, ECG, etc. and would recommend that you go to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok for ANYTHING other than routine check-ups. It only takes a few minutes of looking around in CM Ram to realize that it is a bit of a pit.

I have had my chest X-Rays done there for several years and took the latest one to the U.S. with me just two months ago. My doctor there looked at it and asked, "Is this a joke? THIS is the quality of their equipment in Thailand?!?" He did another and the difference was like comparing a modern-day television to a 1950's B&W 10" screen. I had already asked the above Cardio if he thought the X-Rays were of acceptable quality and he said, "Yes."

So much for honesty and quality of service. Thanks to modern technology elsewhere, I now know that I need to go in for a lung biopsy and will be heading to Bumrungrad to have it done. There is NO WAY I would let anyone in Chiang Mai perform this procedure...

Dustoff, Thanks for the heads up on CM RAM it must irritate you when you see so many recommendations for that place. The nurses are lovely but the quality of medical expertise is questionable. I wish you the best on your biopsy.

If I may inquire how do you know when you need a lung biopsy ? Chok dee

[Blinky Bill]

An old mate went under the knife at CMR for a fairly simple (according to the experts) bypass op some years ago. We never saw him again. He now resides under the trees next to the Gymkhana Club.

[WaiWai]

I'd advise asking in the medical sub forum of thaivisa.com. Sheryl and other good medical professionals will give you great advice there -- probably for Bangkok, but that's but a heartbeat away.

Best wishes.

[Mapguy]

An old mate went under the knife at CMR for a fairly simple (according to the experts) bypass op some years ago. We never saw him again. He now resides under the trees next to the Gymkhana Club.

I find this post out and out outrageous. An old mate? How old? How intimate were you with his personal, physical and medical history? What experts? Who operated? When? What the heck do you really know about the situation ?! I suggest it is very, very little.

You have done nothing more than to spread cheap gossip.

Appalling!

[Mapguy]

There is no quick and easy answer to medical care in Chiang Mai, in Bangkok, or anywhere else. I have been all those places for medical care. Generally, I have been happy with all. I try to do my homework (so easy these days with the internet), but I rarely second-guess doctors or hospital care. But I try to be aware and bring up concerns when they seem appropriate.

There is no easy way to figure it all out, I think, except to get second and third opinions (if you feel them necessary) which aren't something bad to get, especially for a "mega serious" problem. You can get them here as well as in Bangkok or at the ultra of the most ultra medical facilities in the so-called "developed world."

I think there are a lot more places in the hinterland of the so-called developed countries where the doctor doesn't know a scapel from a scallop than you'll find here in Chiang Mai !!

Edited August 13, 2009 by Mapguy

[Blinky Bill]

1. I find this post out and out outrageous.

2. An old mate? How old?

3. How intimate were you with his personal, physical and medical history?

4. What experts?

5. Who operated?

6. When?

7. What the heck do you really know about the situation ?! I suggest it is very, very little.

8. You have done nothing more than to spread cheap gossip.

Appalling!

In response.......

1. Mapguy, you find most posts out and out appalling apart from your own.

2. My old mate was in his early 60's.

3. We didn't live or sleep together, however I would see him 5 days out of 7 on average, he was a regular customer and friend at a little establishment I was once involved in, his wife was a lovely Thai lady and they'd been together for many, many years. Oddly enough, he had a heart condition, hence the need for this bypass op. He had been quite fit up until this incident having been a world traveller all his working life in the horticultural business.

4. The experts were specialist doctors. Oddly enough (once again).

5. Well it sure wasn't the janitor that did the operation. One can only assume it was doctors and nurses. Edit: (No names for legal reasons)

6. About 11 or 12 years ago.

7. I know he went in for the operation and came out dead. Totally unexpected, especially by Roger himself, his family and the many friends he had in Chiang Mai.

8. Sorry Mapguy, contrary to your most disrespected opinion, this is not cheap gossip. It is the truth. Roger died at RAM and has remained dead ever since.

Edited August 14, 2009 by Blinky Bill

[Ulysses G.]

Mapguy has challenged Blinky's integrity.

Perhaps this should be settled honorably in the boxing ring at Tuskers?

[Blinky Bill]

EweGee, I'd gladly buy Mapguy a beer at Tuskers, but I doubt that he'd show up and admit who he is.

[Ulysses G.]

He would not meet me, so he certainly won't meet you.

Too bad, he could learn a Blinky Bill lesson in manners.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Look at the time of his post.. Another late night post fuelled by something or another.

[caf]

He would not meet me, so he certainly won't meet you.

Too bad, he could learn a Blinky Bill lesson in manners.

Does the Blinky Bill School of Manners consider the remark he made

"Roger died at RAM and has remained dead ever since. "

appropriately respectful.

I think I'll pass on enrolling if you do not mind.

[Blinky Bill]

He would not meet me, so he certainly won't meet you.

Too bad, he could learn a Blinky Bill lesson in manners.

Does the Blinky Bill School of Manners consider the remark he made

"Roger died at RAM and has remained dead ever since. "

appropriately respectful.

I think I'll pass on enrolling if you do not mind.

caf, if you knew Roger as I and his other friends did, you might realise that he'd appreciate the remark. Certainly not disrespectful by any means.

Edited August 14, 2009 by Blinky Bill

[NancyL]

Well, sorry guys, but to get back onto topic .....

I was born with a heart defect that was "corrected" surgically as a child, but some problems remain. Eventually I'm going to need heart valve surgery to fix damage done in that initial open heart surgery, but in the meantime I have annual cardiac physicals to determine when it's appropriate to go in to fix the problem. (Hopefully, I'll get hit by a Leo truck first) Three years ago, when visiting Thailand I had a complete cardiac workup at Bumrungrad. They did everything in less than a day and charged me something like $400. Plus, I spent over an hour talking with the cardiologist and almost two hours talking with a cardiac surgeon. I had a much better understanding of my situation than I've ever had. They gave me the test results on a CD-Rom.

I took those back to my Ann Arbor, MI cardiologist, someone who specializes in adults who had open heart surgery as children, and he was blown away by the quality of the work. It said the technicians and equipment was on par or better than what we used in Ann Arbor (remember, that's a major heart center in the U.S.) He said I didn't need to go thru my annual cardiac work-up -- that everything he needed for the annual evaluation was available on the CD-Rom from Bumrungrad. Now we live in Thailand full-time and the quality of medical care entered greatly into our decision.

Fortunately, I don't have any blockage and don't need a bypass, like the OP, but based on my experience at Bumrungrad, I'd get myself down to Bangkok pronto. Sure, it's more expensive than Ram, but yet very affordable by American standards. This isn't something that you want to do on the cheap.

[Blinky Bill]

Nice, clear and precise post there Nancy.

Over the years, I have heard nothing but good reports on Bumrungrad. I've never had any need for anything major but have always received prompt and effective treatment there. Many friends have had treatment for serious conditions there and none have died. can't say the same for RAM.

An airfare to BKK is cheap enough if you are seriously concerned about your health and don't want to join the growing number of RAM's failures.

[venturalaw]

Well, sorry guys, but to get back onto topic .....

I was born with a heart defect that was "corrected" surgically as a child, but some problems remain. Eventually I'm going to need heart valve surgery to fix damage done in that initial open heart surgery, but in the meantime I have annual cardiac physicals to determine when it's appropriate to go in to fix the problem. (Hopefully, I'll get hit by a Leo truck first) Three years ago, when visiting Thailand I had a complete cardiac workup at Bumrungrad. They did everything in less than a day and charged me something like $400. Plus, I spent over an hour talking with the cardiologist and almost two hours talking with a cardiac surgeon. I had a much better understanding of my situation than I've ever had. They gave me the test results on a CD-Rom.

I took those back to my Ann Arbor, MI cardiologist, someone who specializes in adults who had open heart surgery as children, and he was blown away by the quality of the work. It said the technicians and equipment was on par or better than what we used in Ann Arbor (remember, that's a major heart center in the U.S.) He said I didn't need to go thru my annual cardiac work-up -- that everything he needed for the annual evaluation was available on the CD-Rom from Bumrungrad. Now we live in Thailand full-time and the quality of medical care entered greatly into our decision.

Fortunately, I don't have any blockage and don't need a bypass, like the OP, but based on my experience at Bumrungrad, I'd get myself down to Bangkok pronto. Sure, it's more expensive than Ram, but yet very affordable by American standards. This isn't something that you want to do on the cheap.

Thanks for sharing the story. I always thought that Bumrungrad was the way to go but have not read any detailed experiences as you have just related until now.

It's appreciated.