Quick Intro

VEI Clinic Apgujeong is an English-friendly internal-medicine clinic in Gangnam providing practical, evidence-based care for high blood pressure (hypertension)—from home-BP setup and targeted labs to medication plans and follow-up. We’re on the 3rd floor of Beneheim City, 162 Apgujeong-ro, a short walk from Apgujeong Station (Exit 5).

What We Do (tailored—no one-size-fits-all)

Assess & Confirm

  • Accurate diagnosis: office readings with proper technique; confirm with home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) or ambulatory monitoring when needed (white-coat vs. masked hypertension)
  • Baseline risks: kidney/liver function, electrolytes, urine albumin/creatinine, lipids (± ApoB), A1c, thyroid screen when indicated
  • Secondary-cause screen (when appropriate): kidney disease, primary aldosteronism, thyroid/parathyroid issues, sleep apnea, medication contributors (NSAIDs, decongestants, stimulants, some herbals)

Treat & Monitor

  • Lifestyle first-line: salt awareness in Korean cuisine, DASH-style pattern, movement & sleep plan, alcohol limits
  • Medications (when indicated): ACE inhibitor/ARB, thiazide-like diuretic (e.g., chlorthalidone/indapamide), calcium channel blocker; add-ons for resistant cases (e.g., spironolactone) or beta-blockers for specific heart indications
  • Lab safety checks: creatinine & potassium after ACE/ARB/diuretic changes
  • Follow-up cadence: typically 4–6 weeks after a change until stable, then 3–6 months

Coordinate Care

  • Sleep study referral when apnea suspected
  • Cardiology/nephrology collaboration for complex cases
  • Vaccinations: flu/COVID; pneumococcal by age/risk

Home BP Protocol (how to measure correctly)

  1. Use a validated upper-arm automatic cuff that fits your arm.
  2. No caffeine/exercise/smoking for 30 min beforehand; empty bladder.
  3. Sit 5 minutes quietly: back supported, feet flat, arm supported at heart level.
  4. Take two readings, 1 minute apart, morning and evening for 7 days.
  5. Discard day 1, average the rest; bring the log (or device) to your visit.
Targets (personalized): Many adults aim for <130/80 mmHg at home if well tolerated. We individualize targets by age, meds, and conditions.

When We Start or Adjust Medication

  • Sustained home averages ≥135/85 (or clinic ≥140/90), or lower thresholds if you have diabetes, kidney disease, or high cardiovascular risk.
  • Marked elevations or end-organ findings (e.g., kidney injury, LVH) prompt earlier treatment.
  • We avoid ACE inhibitor/ARB in pregnancy and tailor plans to your history.

Lifestyle That Actually Helps (practical Seoul edition)

  • Sodium: aim for <2 g sodium/day (~5 g salt). In Korea, watch soups/stews (guk, jjigae), noodles/ramen, kimchi & pickles, gochujang/doenjang/soy sauce. Ask for less broth/sauce, taste before adding.
  • DASH-style eating: more vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, minimally processed grains; adequate potassium (if kidneys are healthy and you’re not on potassium-sparing meds).
  • Activity: build to 150+ min/week moderate cardio (add zone-2 sessions) + 2+ days/week of strength training; increase daily steps.
  • Alcohol: limit—roughly ≤1 drink/day (most people benefit from less).
  • Weight & sleep: Even 5–10% weight loss or treating sleep apnea can meaningfully lower BP.
  • Medicine check: minimize routine NSAIDs and decongestants; review supplements (e.g., licorice raises BP).

Safety: When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Care

  • Recheck after 5 minutes of rest if a reading seems extreme.
  • ≥180/120 with symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache/vision change, confusion, stroke signs) → ER immediately.
  • ≥180/120 without symptoms → same-day medical evaluation.
  • Pregnancy/postpartum: BP ≥160/110, headache/visual changes, or right-upper-abdominal pain → urgent evaluation.

Visit Flow (Typical)

  1. Baseline consult (30–45 min) → history, exam, medication/supplement review, device coaching
  2. Same-day labs → kidney/electrolytes, urine albumin/creatinine, lipids (± ApoB), A1c as needed
  3. Plan (written in English) → home-BP targets, lifestyle steps, medication changes, safety monitoring
  4. Follow-up at 4–6 weeks → review log, labs, adjust; then 3–6 months once stable

What to Bring

  • Photo ID (passport if visiting)
  • Medication & supplement list (exact doses)
  • Home BP device or app/monitor logs
  • Recent labs or reports (if any), and your typical weekly diet/activity snapshot

Why VEI Clinic Apgujeong

  • Internal-medicine oversight with clear, stepwise plans
  • English-friendly consults and plain-English summaries
  • Same-day labs and practical device coaching
  • Central Gangnam (Apgujeong/Sinsa) location with private rooms

Location & Access

  • Address: Beneheim City, 3F, 162 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
  • Subway: Apgujeong Station (Exit 5), short walk

Pricing & Transparency

You’ll get a clear quote before testing or treatment. Pricing varies by consult length, labs, and any procedures/referrals. Itemized English receipts available for personal or corporate reimbursement.

FAQs

Do I need meds forever?
Not always. Many patients reduce pills with sustained lifestyle changes, but we decide together based on your numbers and risks.

Morning or bedtime dosing?
Often morning is simplest. In select cases we consider evening dosing—your plan will specify timing.

How soon will numbers improve?
Lifestyle changes can shift BP in weeks; medication effects are often seen in days to weeks. We recheck in 4–6 weeks after changes.

Which home cuff should I buy?
Choose a validated, upper-arm automatic cuff that fits your arm size. Bring it to your visit—we’ll check technique.

Can coffee stay?
Often yes—moderation and consistent timing help. Avoid caffeine 30 minutes before measuring BP.

Booking (English-Friendly)

When booking, mention “High Blood Pressure Care at VEI Clinic Apgujeong (near Apgujeong Station Exit 5)” and share your BP readings, medications, and goals.