Ewha Womans University Medical Center
Ewha Womans University Medical Center
Republic of Korea, Seoul
Paik Nam-sun
47 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| LDL Apheresis | - | from $1,650 | - |
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Dr. Byung Hee Oh is a cardiologist at Incheon Sejong Hospital. He previously served as President of the Korean Society of Cardiology. Dr. Oh specializes in heart failure, coronary artery disease, and complex arrhythmias. He held leadership roles at Seoul National University Hospital. Dr. Oh has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications. He treats patients at Sejong Hospital, which sees over 400,000 annual visits.
Dr. Min Jeong Kim is an interventional cardiologist at Incheon Sejong Hospital. She earned both her MD and PhD from Seoul National University College of Medicine. She specializes in heart failure, hypertension, and coronary artery disease treatment. Dr. Kim works at a KOIHA-accredited hospital that treats over 402,000 patients every year.
Dr. Oh Dong Joo is a cardiologist at Na-Eun Hospital in Incheon. He is a prominent figure in South Korean cardiology. Dr. Oh specializes in coronary artery disease and heart failure. He has published over 380 medical works. His research includes 242 SCI-indexed international papers. Dr. Oh is an emeritus professor at Korea University.
Dr. Paik Nam-sun is a surgical oncologist at Ewha Womans University Medical Center in Seoul. He is recognized as one of the world's top 100 gastric and breast cancer surgeons. He performed the first breast-conserving surgery in South Korea. Dr. Paik also invented a proprietary stomach cancer technique to reduce reflux disease risk.
The standard blood pressure target in South Korea is less than 140/90 mmHg for most adults. The Korean Society of Hypertension maintains this baseline. High-risk patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease typically require more intensive control. Experts often aim for targets below 130/80 mmHg in these cases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Quality indicators reflect the high standard of cardiology in Seoul. Asan Medical Center performs 45% of Korea's heart transplants and maintains 90% success rates. This volume suggests that clinics with Newsweek rankings often manage the most complex hypertension cases. Look for JCI-accredited centers like Severance Hospital for integrated cardiovascular care.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Korean care teams strongly emphasize keeping daily home logs. Many report that doctors prioritize tighter control specifically to reduce the risk of stroke.
Hypertension treatment in South Korea primarily utilizes angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and calcium channel blockers (CCB). These drug classes cover over 75% and 60% of patients respectively. Local protocols favor these over ACE inhibitors to avoid common side effects like chronic dry cough.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from top-tier institutions like Asan Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital shows a heavy shift toward digitalization. These centers use advanced systems like BESTcare to track long-term medication adherence. This digital focus ensures that patients receiving complex dual therapies are monitored with higher precision than in traditional paper-based systems.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doctors often start treatment with amlodipine or losartan due to their high availability. While these are effective, many emphasize checking for leg swelling or dizziness, especially when using high-dose combination pills.
Lifestyle modifications are a central pillar of the official Korean hypertension guidelines. The Korean Society of Hypertension mandates non-drug therapy for all patients. Specific recommendations prioritize sodium reduction to under 6g daily. Clinics implement these changes alongside medication or as a primary first-line treatment phase.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many countries follow Western DASH diets, South Korea's top cardiology centers like Asan Medical Center integrate specialized nutritional counseling to modify high-sodium traditional staples. Our data shows that major Seoul facilities often use 24-hour ambulatory monitoring to verify if lifestyle shifts alone are sufficient before starting lifelong medication protocols.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doctors strictly emphasize cutting salt from common foods like kimchi and ramyeon. Many recommend pairing these dietary changes with daily 30-minute walks to see significant blood pressure improvements.
Home blood-pressure monitoring is strongly recommended in South Korea for hypertension diagnosis and management. The Korean Society of Hypertension advises a 135/85 mmHg threshold for home readings. Using validated automated upper-arm devices helps identify masked hypertension and significantly improves long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea is a global cardiology hub where institutions like Severance Hospital and Asan Medical Center manage millions of patients. Our data shows a trend toward total digitalization in clinics like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. For patients, this means home readings are no longer just for personal logs. They are increasingly integrated into digital healthcare systems for real-time specialist review.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that home monitoring reveals white-coat spikes often missed during short clinic visits. Many recommend calibrating your home cuff against the hospital device during your first appointment to ensure accuracy.
Recent data shows 62.2% of Korean adults now maintain controlled blood pressure levels. This marks a significant national milestone in cardiovascular health. Rates remain highest among those receiving active medical treatment. Approximately 76% of hypertensive patients currently utilize blood pressure medication.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Korea's high control rates correlate with extreme institutional specialization in cardiology. Facilities like Asan Medical Center perform 45% of the country's heart transplants. This concentrated expertise ensures that even complex, resistant hypertension cases benefit from protocols used in high-volume surgical centers. Patients should prioritize clinics with integrated cardiovascular centers for more precise 24-hour monitoring.
South Korean care for hypertension focuses on proactive management. The general treatment threshold is 140/90 mmHg. High-risk cases, including those with diabetes or kidney disease, follow an intensive target below 130/80 mmHg. Medication typically involves Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) alongside sodium reduction.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea excels in cardiac diagnostics. Major facilities like Asan Medical Center serve 180,000+ patients yearly. A key advantage for international patients is the many specialists with overseas training. For instance, Prof. Oh Dong Joo worked at Cornell and Emory Universities. This helps protocols align with Korean and international cardiovascular standards.
Patient Consensus: Patients find that Korean care involves ongoing management and regular blood tests. Support services often include interpreters. This is vital for discussing long-term medication titration and home monitoring plans.
Hypertension medications in South Korea and Australia are equally effective. Both nations use the same internationally recognised drug classes including ARBs, CCBs, and diuretics. Success rates for blood pressure control in South Korea reach 70%. This matches top-performing Western nations like Australia and Canada.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Basic medications are standard globally, but South Korea's massive patient volumes create a data advantage. Asan Medical Center alone serves over 11,000 outpatients daily. This allows specialists to refine combination therapies rapidly across diverse patient profiles. They often reach high control rates sooner than in smaller clinical settings.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that focusing on active drug classes rather than brand names is vital. Bringing a current prescription list helps doctors in the Republic of Korea match or improve the existing treatment plan.
Hypertension treatment in South Korea typically requires long-term medication. Most patients continue treatment indefinitely to maintain stability. Korean specialists combine Western pharmaceuticals with lifestyle changes. This approach helps prevent cardiovascular disease. Diagnosis often includes 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. This allows for precise dosing during ongoing management.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea is home to top-ranked digital hospitals like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. These facilities use electronic systems to track data across millions of patients. This digitised approach is vital for Australians. It allows for seamless transfer of clinical records to GPs back home. This helps medication dosages remain consistent during interstate or international travel.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that treatment is a commitment to control rather than a permanent cure. They suggest checking if specific Korean drug brands are available in Australia before returning home.
South Korean doctors manage hypertension by prioritising less sodium and adopting DASH-style eating patterns. Specialists at major centres like Severance Hospital and Asan Medical Center emphasise whole grains. They also recommend plant-based proteins and fresh produce to lower blood pressure effectively.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Leading Korean cardiologists often share an academic background from Seoul National University. Dr Byung Hee Oh and Dr Min Jeong Kim both trained there before specialising in hypertension. This concentration of expertise means patients receive evidence-based care aligned with Korean Society of Cardiology standards.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Korean doctors focus heavily on reducing salt in soups and stews. They find it helpful to ask for low-sodium swaps for traditional fermented side dishes.
Patients typically visit Korean clinics monthly while starting or adjusting blood pressure medication. Once blood pressure levels stabilise, appointments usually move to every 3 to 6 months. Major Seoul hospitals often use 24-hour monitoring and consultations to confirm long-term management plans quickly.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Major centres like Seoul National University Hospital serve millions of patients. However, hypertension management is often handled more efficiently at specialised cardiovascular centres. Asan Medical Center performs 45% of Korea's heart transplants and maintains heavy cardiology infrastructure. Patients with complex hypertension benefit from these high-volume centres. Specialists there manage thousands of cases, so medication protocols are optimised faster than at smaller clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Korea find that initial visits are remarkably efficient. They note that repeat follow-ups are standard until blood pressure readings stabilise. Most advise bringing previous medical records and current lists of medications. This helps the doctor during these short, focused appointments.