Blood Pressure Specialist In Bangkok

[roderick17]

Greetings

In the past, I have had some problems in bringing my high-blood pressure down to reasonable and realtively safe levels. I now need some specialist help in managing my hypertense state, yet again. Can anyone on this board recommend a doctor or hospital in Bangkok with someone who specialises in offering effective treatment for this condition ?

Thanks heaps

Roderick

Edited January 10, 2010 by roderick17

[ProThaiExpat]

I have had elevated blood pressure for more than 40 years and control it myself with annual checks with any cardiologist available. Almost every hospital has cardiologist on staff or available in clinics.

There will be a trial and error period where the doctor with "titrate" your medication, trying to come up with the right "recipe" of drug or drugs to control your blood pressure with the least side effects.

Part of the control issue is your getting a blood pressure monitor to record your pressures every day and at times during the day as you work with your doctor to get it under control.

I have had many such machines, but am now using one that surrounds the wrist and works great with little difficulty in using.

Exercise, weight control and stress reduction are great ways to lower your pressure without medication, but if your condition is seriously elevated, medication is necessary.

I was supposed to have my first heart attack 30 years ago and to date my heart is normal and my pressure is normal, with meds of course.

The internet is a great place to start to learn about your condition that you will have the rest of your life so do yourself a favor and get proactive in the control of your pressure.

[chiang mai]

I can highly recommend Dr Arram, a cardiologist at Bumrungrad.

[JimmyTheMook]

I can highly recommend Dr Arram, a cardiologist at Bumrungrad.

Curious , why do you recommend him ?

[bunnaag]

@ PROTHAI

i have made the experience that measuring at the wrist will show a lower value than measuring on the upper arm.Differences-which I observed- can be up to 10 points SYS and DIA.

[JAS21]

@ PROTHAI

i have made the experience that measuring at the wrist will show a lower value than measuring on the upper arm.Differences-which I observed- can be up to 10 points SYS and DIA.

Well that will save him a heart attack!!...I see Nopparat at BNH..I like the guy and rate him. Explains things in a way most should understand

[chiang mai]

I can highly recommend Dr Arram, a cardiologist at Bumrungrad.

Curious , why do you recommend him ?

Because about two years ago I went in search of a cardiologist to look into some heart issues of mine - another doctor at Bumrungrad was my first choice as being the best in his field but he was booked solidly and it wasn't possible to get an appointment. One of the theatre nurses pulled me aside and quietly recommended Dr Arram so I made an appointment - who better to get a recommendation from than the people who watch the doctor at work each day.

Over the following weeks I met with Dr Arram a number of times and was hugely very impressed by his professionalism, his demeanour and his attention to detail and his ability to communicate. I subsequently agreed to have him perform angioplasty (balloon and stent) and I continued to be impressed throughout my stay at Bumrungrad. When I received my final bill for angioplasty it amounted to less than Baht 150,000 and his fees were only 15,000 of that, my expectation before hand was that the procedure could cost me up to Baht 350,000. I've seen Dr Arram a couple of times since and he continues to strike me as someone who truly cares about patient care and much less so about the finance side of things.

After the surgery was all done and dusted I met the theatre nurse again by chance and we chatted quite candidly about some of the cardiologists at Bumrungrad. She was very up front and open about it all and freely admitted that some of them are more interested in making money or a reputation than anything else, Arram she said is quite different in that respect and I have to agree.

[roderick17]

Hi Chang Mai

Thank you for those comments. The name Dr Arram sounds very familar to me. Has this Dr Arram been at Bumrungrand for some time? About two years ago, I visited a public hospital in Udon Thani - about my blood pressure - and saw one Dr Arram. That guy was an excellent physician if its the same person then I'll =l go over to Bumrungramnd and make an appointment to see him. I wonder whether it is the same medico ??

I can highly recommend Dr Arram, a cardiologist at Bumrungrad.

Curious , why do you recommend him ?

Because about two years ago I went in search of a cardiologist to look into some heart issues of mine - another doctor at Bumrungrad was my first choice as being the best in his field but he was booked solidly and it wasn't possible to get an appointment. One of the theatre nurses pulled me aside and quietly recommended Dr Arram so I made an appointment - who better to get a recommendation from than the people who watch the doctor at work each day.

Over the following weeks I met with Dr Arram a number of times and was hugely very impressed by his professionalism, his demeanour and his attention to detail and his ability to communicate. I subsequently agreed to have him perform angioplasty (balloon and stent) and I continued to be impressed throughout my stay at Bumrungrad. When I received my final bill for angioplasty it amounted to less than Baht 150,000 and his fees were only 15,000 of that, my expectation before hand was that the procedure could cost me up to Baht 350,000. I've seen Dr Arram a couple of times since and he continues to strike me as someone who truly cares about patient care and much less so about the finance side of things.

After the surgery was all done and dusted I met the theatre nurse again by chance and we chatted quite candidly about some of the cardiologists at Bumrungrad. She was very up front and open about it all and freely admitted that some of them are more interested in making money or a reputation than anything else, Arram she said is quite different in that respect and I have to agree.

[chiang mai]

Hi Chang Mai

Thank you for those comments. The name Dr Arram sounds very familar to me. Has this Dr Arram been at Bumrungrand for some time? About two years ago, I visited a public hospital in Udon Thani - about my blood pressure - and saw one Dr Arram. That guy was an excellent physician if its the same person then I'll =l go over to Bumrungramnd and make an appointment to see him. I wonder whether it is the same medico ??

I can highly recommend Dr Arram, a cardiologist at Bumrungrad.

Curious , why do you recommend him ?

Because about two years ago I went in search of a cardiologist to look into some heart issues of mine - another doctor at Bumrungrad was my first choice as being the best in his field but he was booked solidly and it wasn't possible to get an appointment. One of the theatre nurses pulled me aside and quietly recommended Dr Arram so I made an appointment - who better to get a recommendation from than the people who watch the doctor at work each day.

Over the following weeks I met with Dr Arram a number of times and was hugely very impressed by his professionalism, his demeanour and his attention to detail and his ability to communicate. I subsequently agreed to have him perform angioplasty (balloon and stent) and I continued to be impressed throughout my stay at Bumrungrad. When I received my final bill for angioplasty it amounted to less than Baht 150,000 and his fees were only 15,000 of that, my expectation before hand was that the procedure could cost me up to Baht 350,000. I've seen Dr Arram a couple of times since and he continues to strike me as someone who truly cares about patient care and much less so about the finance side of things.

After the surgery was all done and dusted I met the theatre nurse again by chance and we chatted quite candidly about some of the cardiologists at Bumrungrad. She was very up front and open about it all and freely admitted that some of them are more interested in making money or a reputation than anything else, Arram she said is quite different in that respect and I have to agree.

Probably not the same one, see his details from the Bumrungrad website below.

Dr. Aram Chusid

Specialty: Medicine - Cardiology(Heart)

Language: Spoken: English,Thai

Qualifications: Medical School:

- M.D. Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, 1972

Board Certifications:

- Diplomate of The American Board of Internal Medicine, 1982

- Diplomate of The American Board of Cardiovascular Disease, 1985

Fellowships:

- Interventional Cardiology, Medical College of Virginia Hospital, USA, 1993-1995

Special Clinical Trainings:

- Interventional Cardiology

Special Clinical Interests:

- Angioplasty-Coronary Intervention

Apologies, one "r" not two.

Edited January 10, 2010 by chiang mai

[ProThaiExpat]

@ PROTHAI

i have made the experience that measuring at the wrist will show a lower value than measuring on the upper arm.Differences-which I observed- can be up to 10 points SYS and DIA.

I experienced the same variation, but mine was higher when I evaluated the wrist cuff so I went back and read the directions and found I was not holding my wrist at heart level when I was testing my pressure. Once I did that, it was as accurate as other methods.

Likewise with upper arm cuff devices, if you don't rest your arm at shoulder level, you get a variance. Note the automatic table models seen in hospitals and the sit down machines seen in pharmacies should position you so your arm is at shoulder level when using an upper arm cuff device.

I also take a minimum of three measurements consecutively, as I rarely get a "resting pressure" on the first try.

"Resting Pressure" is an essential element of an accurate blood pressure test, when you compare your readings against the standards established by health organizations. Also beware of the "doctor's office syndrome" or "white coat syndrome" were studies have shown pressures measured in a doctors office are often higher than true pressures, unless five minutes time of "rest and relaxation" precede the test and then that might not be enough, if you are stressed in any way by doctors or nurses!!!

[bumrungrad]

Hi Roderick,

My name is Scott from Bumrungrad.

Although we can definitely recommend Dr. Aram (as well as some others, such as Dr. Visuit and Dr. Chad, for a couple other excellent options), I would like offer a slightly different approach you may want to consider.

We have a general practitioner who has a high interest in hypertension, Dr. Prapaporn Phimphilai, who may be a better first stop option. She will be able to give a proper analysis of your overall condition and determine if there are any comorbidity (presence of any other medical disorders/diseases) issues you should be aware of.

If you want any additional information, you can PM me for more details.

Best regards,

Scott @ Bumrungrad

[Sheryl]

Although I do not know the specific GP mentioned, Scott has a good point. Hypertension is a systemic condition which can affect many organs and be interrelated with many other disease processes.

If you have known heart disease then a cardiologist might be a good choice but otherwise a broader-based internist would probably be a better choice at least initially.

And if you have not had a thorough phsical exam, inclusive of stress test, recently that would also be advisable as in order to properly manage your hypertension it is important to know the status of your kidney function, blood lipids, overall cardiovascular health, whether any diabetes/pre-diabetes etc.

[Pimpawan]

There is no need to go to Bumrungrad and I believe that some of the best doctors are spread around, not just at Bumrungrad. At Piyavate Hospital, there is a very famous cardiologist called Dr Nithi. I strongly recommend that you see him.

Piyavate is on Rama 9. If you are coming from RCA, its next to the white building called TRIA Integrative Wellness.

[ericg1953]

I recently have had the exact same problem as you...I have been seeing Dr. Visuit. He is the Chief of the Cardiology Dep't at Bumrungrad. A friend recommended him and it has worked out well...office visits are less than 1000 baht all in which I think is fair for a top Dr.

[Pimpawan]

Yes its reasonably priced and the treatments are good. Everytime I have a cold, I go to TRIA for homeopathy, acupucture and it really helps my cold. There is no point taking other medications for common colds and flu.