Cardiology in Thailand

Cardiology is a branch of medicine concerned with disorders of the heart. It is the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of such conditions as heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, and much more. Doctors who specialize in this branch of internal medicine are known as a cardiologist.

What Does Cardiology Involve?

Cardiology involves tests, including electrocardiogram to record the electrical activity of the heart, exercise test to see the changes of heart rhythm, echocardiogram that provides an ultrasound picture showing the structure of the heart, and cardiac catheterization to collect data and help relieve a blockage. There are numerous different treatments within cardiology for various different heart disorders, such as valvuloplasties, angioplasties, stenting, congenital heart defect corrections, as well as coronary thrombectomies. Nearly all treatments for heart diseases are major surgery and are performed under general anesthetic. 

How Long Should You Stay in Thailand?

Your length of stay in Thailand depends on which procedure you underwent. In general, you need to stay in the hospital for several days and also to stay in the country for an additional fourteen days or until your cardiologist allows you to travel home.

How Long is the Recovery Time?

The recovery period can be different from one person to another, depending on your overall health and any complications. You should expect to progressively regain your energy and go back to your normal activity level in about four to eight weeks after treatment, particularly following surgical treatments. 

What Aftercare Should You Consider?

You may need to attend regular follow-up appointments, either with your cardiologist in Thailand or in your home country. You must make some lifestyle adjustments after you recover, including eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stop smoking, and limit your alcohol intake, to prevent future heart disease or complications. Your cardiologist may recommend you to get a cardiac rehabilitation, which will improve your health after treatment and help you recover after surgery.

What is the Success Rate for Cardiology?

Generally, the success rate depends on the specific procedure and your specific condition. Cardiology has helped millions of people around the world and if performed by experts, the risk of serious complications is very low. However, just like any other treatment, there are some risks to be aware of, such as bleeding, stroke, heart rhythm problems, blood clots, infection, valve dysfunction, and death.

Are there Alternatives to Cardiology?

Those who suffer from heart disorders do not have any other alternatives besides going to a cardiologist. However, if you do not want to undergo surgery or take any medication, you need to talk to your surgeon for the best alternative for your specific case.

What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?

Disorders of the heart can be dangerous, life-threatening, cause painful symptoms, and interfere with your ability to perform daily activities. After you have been treated by a cardiologist, you may be cured of your disease and your symptoms are relieved. 

Cardiology in and around Thailand

About Thailand

Thailand leads the way for Asian countries with over 60 state-of-the-art JCI accredited facilities and consistently voted one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It's known for its tropical beaches, floating markets, stunning royal palaces, and Buddhist temples. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises with brand new high-rise condominium developments next to quiet canalside communities. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the most popular tourist areas outside of Bangkok are Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Pattaya, all with great yacht chartering opportunities.

Thailand welcomes hundreds of thousands of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Cardiology procedures. Medical Tourists travel from all across the globe, particularly from the local SE Asia region, Australia, United States, Middle East and an increasing amount are traveling from China. An outstanding private healthcare system combined with a hot tropical climate and competitive prices means that Thailand is now the third most popular destination in the world for medical tourism. The most popular procedures tend to be cosmetic surgery (breast augmentations, gender reassignment surgery, and CoolSculpting to name a few), cardiac surgery, orthopedics, and urology.

Popular Parts of Thailand

With a population of just under 70 million people spread across an area of around 500k square km, Thailand’s most popular regions/cities include Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui, and Hua Hin. The capital city Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world, whilst Thailand as a whole receives over 30 million tourists each year, the vast majority of these will enter Thailand through Bangkok. 

As Bangkok is the only urbanized region mentioned, all others are centered around island/beach life, with the exception of Chiang Mai, set in the northern Thailand jungle.

Weather and Climate in Thailand

Known for its truly tropical climate and scorching temperatures, Thailand, in general, is hot and humid all year round. The coastal locations do benefit from the cooling sea breeze, a luxury urban Bangkok is denied. Average temperatures range from 28°C (82°F) up to 35°C (95°F). However, during the Hot Season (March to June), temperatures can top 40°C (104°F).

The infamous Rainy Season tends to start in July and continue through to October; during this time expect heavy rainfall, often amounting to flooding in some areas. It will remain warm to hot but humidity levels will rise and the mosquitos will come out to play!

November to February is often referred to as the Cool Season when less rain is expected and the temperatures tend not to rise above 35°C (95°F).

From a tourist perspective; High Season lasts from November to March and Low Season April to October. But be aware of the Shoulder Seasons of April to June and September to October, when Thailand is less impacted by the Rainy Season and less busy with tourists – these can be the ideal times to visit.

In a nutshell, Thailand is a Shorts and T-shirt Country, you’re never really going to be cold, so pack light; shorts, t-shirts, vests, skirts, singlets, and light dresses. Maybe pack jeans and shoes if you’re planning on going to a swanky roof-top bar in Bangkok or to a temple where flip-flops are not acceptable.

Don’t forget mosquito spray as the little pests can get everywhere; big ones and little ones! Always protect against the sun; high factor sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses. The usual medications found at home should be available in most pharmacies.

Getting around in Thailand

With the Suvarnabhumi International Airport being serviced by some of the world’s major airlines, tourists can fly into Thailand from almost anywhere in the world, sometimes with a connection along the way. All the popular regions have their own international airports, with the exception of Pattaya, which is just a 90-minute taxi ride from Bangkok. However, arrival destinations are slightly limited outside of Bangkok, but the likes of Emirates and Qatar Airways will fly into Phuket International Airport. The rest, mostly fly in from local countries on budget airlines, including Scoot, SilkAir, AirAsia and Lion Air to name a few.

For domestic flights, the airports are nicely linked in Thailand with flights from as little as $45 USD one way. There are several budget airlines servicing these routes, including Thai Lion Air, AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Smile.

The train allows for even cheaper travel within Thailand and is far more comfortable than spending hours sitting on a bus. Bangkok has the BTS, or Skytrain, which allows for fast transfer from the airport into the city. Given the traffic in central Bangkok, the BTS offers a great alternative to being stuck in traffic jams.

Taxis are great, however, be sure to confirm the price before you begin your journey or better still, insist the ride goes on the meter – that is how you guarantee the cheapest and fairest price. But expect traffic in the city and any built-up areas.

Tourist Visas in Thailand

Whilst Thailand is most welcoming of tourists from all over the world, travelers should check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand for confirmation. Those with a UK, US, German, Australian, Singaporean passport, for example, do not require a visa when entering and can stay for up to 30 days. Whereas Chinese and Indian passport holders are required to apply for a visa on arrival, which lasts up to 15 days – for more information, click here.

Additional Information

1. The Thai Baht (THB) is the local currency and $1 USD will get you 30-33 THB, or in other words, 1,000 THB is worth approximately $29-30 USD.
2. ATMs are readily available across Thailand and accept virtually all major bank cards (Visa, Mastercard). Credit card payment is accepted in most established restaurants and outlets, with the more local food vendors, for example, only accepting cash. Tipping is common as service is not included at restaurants, anything around 10% is fine.
3. Thai is the local language but due to the extremely well-established tourism industry in Thailand, English is spoken by most locals who work with tourists, and often signs will have an English translation.
4. Buddhism (95%) is the primary religion throughout Thailand, with a large Muslim population (4%) mostly focused in the south. The Royal Family is deeply revered throughout the country and should never be disrespected, such behavior is severely punished. Pointing with your feet and touching another person’s head is considered extremely rude.
5. There are many public holidays in Thailand, which aren’t always on the same day each year, including Songkran (Thai New Year), which is celebrated in mid-April, Labor Day, and Coronation Day in early May, Asanha Buja in July and Constitution Day in December.