Quality / Low Cost Hospital For My High Blood Pressure

[bangkokburning]

Can anyone recommend a hospital (doctor) and/or clinic for high BP in BKK? I am currently on meds (1) that are working well, but I need to start taking this far more seriously.

Thanks

[lopburi3]

As you seem to have it under control wonder what your specific interest is. Do you want a doctor to try lifestyle treatment in preference to medication? Is there family history that indicates you are likely to have specific issues and you wish specialist advise?

For most of us likely the best investment, in my layman opinion, is a blood pressure machine that we can use at home under non hospital conditions to record what our true pressures are and use that data to present to Doctor on visits.

[bangkokburning]

My physicals are haphazard as the quality. I want to get a doctor/hospital and stick with them. The medicine seems to be effective (and cheap) but is old. I am mainly worried because w/o it, my BP is very high and concerned over coronary issues. My tests are pretty good - but its the heart and arteries I'm worried about. Like to have this checked. I've made about all the lifestyle changes I am willing to or able (Thai food loaded w/ salt and MSG and I love it).

Unless someone can recommend better, I will have a look at Sami next physical exam.

Thanks.

[lopburi3]

I don't know what you mean by "Sami" but if it is Samitivej I would hardly call it low cost (in fact one of the highest cost). It appears you want a good doctor rather than expensive hospital and some of the government hospital doctors are the best and least expensive (even for paid patients at other locations or in clinics). If you prefer hospital St Louis would likely be much more reasonable price with experienced doctors.

Personally I use an internal medicine doctor as they are about as close as you get to a GP here and will send you to specialists when required.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

St Louis Hospital over there off Sathorn Road and close by a BTS Skytrain station.

http://www.saintlouis.or.th/main_page.php

Mac

[bangkokburning]

Yes, Samitivej. NO not cheap, but last check-up at PraRam9 was OK for lab but physical was real disappointment. Dr did not really address my concerns of my BP or my girlfriends cholesterol issues. Real medical mill.

That is three recommendations for SL (1 in pm), perhaps I will have a better look there. Not interested in gov't hospitals for a variety of reasons, but thx.

Thanks very much.

[lopburi3]

I was suggesting physicians from Government hospitals as many are top in there field and have private patients or clinic hours outside where they can take more time with patients.

It would seem you should make appointment for consultation with doctors and then use the one you like for reading results of tests he feels are needed rather than a physical mill report. As doctor visits are relatively cheap (few hundred baht) you can afford to make a few and decide who you and wife are comfortable with.

[bangkokburning]

Thanks. Pardon my ignorance here, doctors working at hospitals also have private practice and offices outside? I have a contact already will email and inquire.

[Sheryl]

I think he means that doctors in government hospitals also have private practice in private hospitals.

Indeed, a high proportion of the doctors at Bumrungrad, Samitivej, BNH, Bangkok Hosp et al also work in a government hospital. You can pretty well infer this is the case by their hours, e.g. if only at the private hospital weekends and/or evenings, chances are they are at a government hospital during the day.

Those who are in a techning position at a government hospital (definitely a sign of above average capability and experience) are easy to spot as the hospital websites will show "Professor" or "Assistant Professor" before their name. If you then want to know at which government hospital, a Google of the name will usually produce that info.

I personally give a lot of weight to a faculty position at a government hospital but not to just working in one in a staff capacity.

[Utley]

I can personally vouch for the Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok. I had a sudden hearing loss problem and I found them to be very competent and low cost as they are government run. The price they charge for meds however is a little high.