Coronary Artery Disease- Urgent!

[likethaigirls]

Hi All,

           My Coronary Artery Agaston score was 329 in January, 2019. In December, 2019, it had risen 18% to 389. This concerns me a lot, please refresh your memory with these stats:

“Coronary calcium score > 400: Extensive atherosclerotic plaque (atherosclerotic- the medical term for plaque clogged arteries, and it’s a major risk factor for heart attack or stroke). High likelihood of at least one significant coronary narrowing.”

The way things are going (score now 389) I’ll be over 400 in a couple of months.

My Cardiologist in Cambodia seems to have taken a ‘wait and see’ attitude.

My take is that it’s time to get proactive now!!

 I don’t think Cambodia is equipped to handle this, so I’ve been Googling ‘Best Heart Hospitals Worldwide.’

Bumrungrad makes the list.

I’d appreciate anybody who has had Cardiology done at Bumrungrad to take a minute to tell me of their experience/opinion there.

Although health, not cost, is the issue, if there’s a hospital that matches or exceeds Bumrungrad’s standards in Cardiology (more affordably) please let me know as soon as you have a minute, thanks.

I’d also appreciate hearing from anyone who has been to a *better hospital that specializes in Cardiology, *no matter the country*. Maybe another hospital in Thailand, Singapore, India...

Visa! As I’m in Cambodia, I make the land crossing and enter Thailand on a 30 day visa-exempt status, as a tourist, have done for years, but I don’t go often. My last visit to Thailand was in January, 2019. Can I do that when my primary purpose is medical?

As this would be my first visit to Thailand in 2020, I *expect I would have no problem entering on the 30 day visa-exempt status. Is that still true? Thai Visa rules seem to change often, which is why I’m double-checking.

Thank You!

 

 

Edited December 25, 2019 by likethaigirls

[thairak]

Where is your Home Country mate ?

[Zeb]

23 minutes ago, thairak said:

Where is your Home Country mate ?

Yep - my home country would be where I'd go, unless its a very high cost one eg the US.

OP - sorry I don't know much on the other questions you raise.

Better wishes.

Edited December 25, 2019 by Zeb

[thairak]

well I would certainly go to my home Country for something as serious as this , also I don't think there is much better

than the USA for this , you will probably have a stent fitted or more depending on tests ,

I wish you good luck Buddy and a happy Christmas without worry.

[likethaigirls]

OK

[nglansth]

Calcium Score is a marker.....Have a Cardiac stress test and Cardiac Mri....in Bangkok......If you eat sugar  Stop...if you smoke Stop

If you exercise great.....Fish oil..Temeric all great for inflammation......If you are a big beer drinker Stop.....if you are overweight loose weight....

[Hot&Spicy]

I can strongly recommend the Heart Center of the Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok. You should see Dr. Sudaratana.

She is a Doctor inspiring immediately confidence making you feel very comfortable for such kind of interventions.

I had a Stent implanted by her 6 years ago. I did not feel anything during the whole Angiography and was able to leave the hospital after 3 days. The Whole thing costed about 300 000 Baht. The Hospital service was first class in everything. 

 

 

[Cerberus]

22 hours ago, likethaigirls said:

Hi All,

           My Coronary Artery Agaston score was 329 in January, 2019. In December, 2019, it had risen 18% to 389. This concerns me a lot, please refresh your memory with these stats:

“Coronary calcium score > 400: Extensive atherosclerotic plaque (atherosclerotic- the medical term for plaque clogged arteries, and it’s a major risk factor for heart attack or stroke). High likelihood of at least one significant coronary narrowing.”

The way things are going (score now 389) I’ll be over 400 in a couple of months.

My Cardiologist in Cambodia seems to have taken a ‘wait and see’ attitude.

My take is that it’s time to get proactive now!!

 I don’t think Cambodia is equipped to handle this, so I’ve been Googling ‘Best Heart Hospitals Worldwide.’

Bumrungrad makes the list.

I’d appreciate anybody who has had Cardiology done at Bumrungrad to take a minute to tell me of their experience/opinion there.

Although health, not cost, is the issue, if there’s a hospital that matches or exceeds Bumrungrad’s standards in Cardiology (more affordably) please let me know as soon as you have a minute, thanks.

I’d also appreciate hearing from anyone who has been to a *better hospital that specializes in Cardiology, *no matter the country*. Maybe another hospital in Thailand, Singapore, India...

Visa! As I’m in Cambodia, I make the land crossing and enter Thailand on a 30 day visa-exempt status, as a tourist, have done for years, but I don’t go often. My last visit to Thailand was in January, 2019. Can I do that when my primary purpose is medical?

As this would be my first visit to Thailand in 2020, I *expect I would have no problem entering on the 30 day visa-exempt status. Is that still true? Thai Visa rules seem to change often, which is why I’m double-checking.

Thank You!

 

 

Sent you a PM

[nglansth]

I have seen Calcium scores over 1100...

[nglansth]

Singapore best bet.....Bangkok Pattaya hospital very good also......I was a  medical anesthetist in the USA  for 42 years

[QuotaMan]

I recommend an oil-free, wholly plant based diet with no processed foods.

There have been cases of arterial blockage being reversed with this type of diet.

It is not easy but desperate times call for desperate measures.

[heytc]

My friend, I strongly recommend a few things.

Coronary issues are no joke.  Admittedly, I am an attorney, not a physician.  However, from what I have read above none of the responses are from cardiologists or cardiac surgeons.  Don't seek medical advice from non-specialists.

Next, I am happy to read you stated "health, not cost" is the issue.  Apparently you have the financial means to obtain the quality health care you possibly require.  Go get it.

I don't know your home, but perhaps you are from Europe or another Western country where generally high level services can be found.  Go there.

Will it be more costly than Thailand?  Most certainly.

Will the professional advice you receive be better?  Most likely.

I've just returned to LOS after a lengthy sojourn in my home country assisting my elderly father through a complicated (but successful) heart operation.  I don't want to consider the end result if he went through a similar procedure here.. for many reasons.

Good luck.  Make the right choice.  Health, not money or convenience, is your priority.

[Plantbasedkacj]

I highly recommend you start a whole foods plant based diet 

 

check out the documentaries - The Game Changers, Forks Over Knifes 

check out these plant based doctors - Dr Michael Greger, Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr Dean Ornish. 
 

 

[likethaigirls]

Thanks Everybody,

                                  I have an appointment set up at Bunrungrad. 
Thanks again for your concern.

Happy New Year!

[Harry Brown]

Just now, likethaigirls said:

Thanks Everybody,

                                  I have an appointment set up at Bunrungrad. 
Thanks again for your concern.

Happy New Year!

 

 

Good luck with everything. Let us know how you get on.

Happy New Years.

[likethaigirls]

Hi

As I said in a previous post, I had an appointment set up at Bumrungrad. They said by email that the doctors fee would be 1,000 to 2,000 baht.

When I arrived, on time but tired and weak, they demanded 1,000 American dollars, in baht only. The doctor was unkind and, in my case, ‘busy.’ That was January 2.

I had previously seen a cardiologist in Phnom Penh (Royal Phnom Penh Hospital) who I thought was substandard, (useless, actually, sorry to say it) that’s why I came to Bumrungrad.

I had a 2nd appointment at Bumrungrad for January 3, which I attended. Same doctor. To cut to the chase (my words, not his) his opinion was, ‘Get lost, get out of Thailand, we don’t want to deal with a dead farang. Go back and see the (useless) doctor in Phnom Penh.’

That was it. No medicine, no useful advice whatsoever.

My cholesterol numbers are *very good. So he gave me some information on how to lower my cholesterol! 
 

The issue isn’t cholesterol plaque, it’s primarily calcium plaque. I got no info on that, nor any info on my artery blockage as a percentage.

Don’t know why, but Zeppelin III’s song ‘Celebration Day’ keeps playing in my head.

Maybe it’s because of the world we live in?

 

 

 

[FROST MEDIC999]

Surely Sir what you need First is an Angiogram depending on if you have any narrowing only then would a Stent ( elective ) be considered. 

If you was my patient I would conduct a stress test and also a Echogram. Once all these results are in a decision can be made.

I assume you are on or already taking a Statin and maybe some like Bisoprolol and Ramapril 

If none of the above apply then start again... pick ANY reccomend Hospital and as a P.A.U.G take what information you already have along to your first appointment and start from scratch 

[Hot&Spicy]

On 03/01/2020 at 20:07, likethaigirls said:

Hi

As I said in a previous post, I had an appointment set up at Bumrungrad. They said by email that the doctors fee would be 1,000 to 2,000 baht.

When I arrived, on time but tired and weak, they demanded 1,000 American dollars, in baht only. The doctor was unkind and, in my case, ‘busy.’ That was January 2.

I had previously seen a cardiologist in Phnom Penh (Royal Phnom Penh Hospital) who I thought was substandard, (useless, actually, sorry to say it) that’s why I came to Bumrungrad.

I had a 2nd appointment at Bumrungrad for January 3, which I attended. Same doctor. To cut to the chase (my words, not his) his opinion was, ‘Get lost, get out of Thailand, we don’t want to deal with a dead farang. Go back and see the (useless) doctor in Phnom Penh.’

That was it. No medicine, no useful advice whatsoever.

My cholesterol numbers are *very good. So he gave me some information on how to lower my cholesterol! 
 

The issue isn’t cholesterol plaque, it’s primarily calcium plaque. I got no info on that, nor any info on my artery blockage as a percentage.

Don’t know why, but Zeppelin III’s song ‘Celebration Day’ keeps playing in my head.

Maybe it’s because of the world we live in?

 

 

 

I recommended you a Doctor at the Bangkok Hospital Heart center in Bangkok, but "up tp you" to make your own choice. 

[dh842]

I would be on the first plane to my home country.

[tps]

You could also check on thaivisa.com and ask for advice from ‘Sheryl’ in the medical section as to who is the best doctor to see. Apparently she has a medical background and is very well-versed as to who the top doctors are.

[Scuba+]

3 hours ago, tps said:

You could also check on thaivisa.com and ask for advice from ‘Sheryl’ in the medical section as to who is the best doctor to see. Apparently she has a medical background and is very well-versed as to who the top doctors are.

I agree, for important medical issues Sheryl over at thaivisa has extensive knowledge and will recommend hospitals and specialists in your area

[likethaigirls]

Hi Hot&Spicy, dh842, tps, Scuba+,

Thank you all very much for taking time for me! Unexpected! Sorry for the late reply.

OK, I’ll message Sheryl at Thai visa.com. Sounds like a good idea!

I must say that your concern touches me! You don’t even know me, but you take time for me! 

In my book, that’s incredible.

Of course, I haven’t been out even one night here in Thailand. 
 

So, more for you, and I hope you’re having fun!

 

[likethaigirls]

First, thanks everybody for your concern for me. Especially Sheryl!

You asked me how I’m getting on, I believe your sincerity since I am debt-free, at least to you!

My first endeavour has been/is to modify my diet to a plant-based one. There’s lots of info on the ‘Net, I know, but getting an opinion from a dietitian (hopefully) wouldn’t hurt. There are tons of Vegan & Vegetarian diets... I hoped a dietitian could advise me about the best one for me & my personal health situation. Therefore, I tried to set up an appointment with one at Bumrungrad. Here’s what happened:

___________________
Dear Bumrungrad Rep.,

                                         I have been trying to get an appointment with a dietitian at Bumrungrad since 15/1/2020. Your auto reply asks for a maximum of 12 hours to do this. It’s now been about 48 hours, and no satisfactory (detailed) reply has been received by me. 
 

[I did send them several appointment requests]

 

You have a choice: either get me a proper response within 12 hours from now, or cancel the appointment. It’s 8:37 pm, 17/1/2020.

 

Note that I’m busy, too, but I have time to message you.

 

Please note that I am *sincerely* not angry or disappointed; how could I be? This has simply been an education, and that’s always a good thing to have!

 

[Their auto-reply system sent me what’s below-]

 

Email Management Office: We will respond your appointment request within 4 hours – regardless of where in the world you are located. To avoid unnecessary delays and confusion, please use only one email address in contacting us. If you have not received our feedback within a timely manner, kindly check your SPAM folder as it may be filtered by your e-mail or internet provider.”

_______________________________________
 

The only thing I worded incorrectly was the bit, “no satisfactory (detailed) reply has been received by me.“ Yeah, I got a reply for a date, but *no info* about the appointment time! That was the ‘detail’ I meant.
 

BTW, Bumrungrad has failed to reply. It’s noon on the 18th. I have no expectations from them.
 

I agree 100% with the poster who recommended Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. I’ve been going there for many years, with no major complaints about their service quality. 
 

Lastly, I have already set up an appointment with another Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Hospital.

 

p.s. To the person who advised me about this: I don’t smoke, don’t drink, and my weight/BMI is in a good health range, too.

 

Over & Out!

[equanimous]

Curious why OP doesn't seem to want to share his home country...

Ok... I'm lucky that my home country is Australia... That's where I'd be heading at the first hint of trouble as described...

Someone mentioned angiogram... Was this carried out?

Probably best test for clogged arteries??

I'm not a doctor... But I used to be a tree surgeon....

With a few heart issues myself...

 

 

[likethaigirls]

Hi All,

           First of all, I want everybody who posted info I can use (and there have been many of you!) - I pasted all of that- doctors, hospitals, the works you gave me- into my notebook! Your time & effort has been absolutely *not* been wasted. That’s why I put trophies by your posts.

 I’ve been busy digging into all the info on this subject on the ‘Net. A lot!

Modifying my diet.
 

Plus, I’ve had the CT Coronary Angiogram scan done, and I’m taking the results to my Cardiologist in a couple of days. She hasn’t seen it, it wasn’t done at her hospital. An exercise stress test would tell us things we don’t know now, too. That will be done!

With this new info to process, I want her to do that, then get her opinion on the path ahead.

Thanks once again!