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NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F near Starbucks

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02-738-7555
02
738
7555
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Chronic Disease & General Internal Medicine

Steady Care for Everyday and Long-Term Health From chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia
to everyday concerns like a cold or digestive symptoms, The Heart Clinic pairs precise diagnosis with structured,
ongoing management to support your health at every stage.

Hypertension and diagnostic criteria by measurement method. Hypertension can silently raise the risk of stroke and heart disease. The table compares office, 24-hour ambulatory, and home blood pressure thresholds. Who should consider hypertension management: people with blood pressure at or above 140/90 mmHg, elevated blood pressure with diabetes, heart or kidney disease, abdominal obesity, family history, uncontrolled blood pressure on medication, or different home and clinic readings. Lifestyle modifications for hypertension include limiting salt and alcohol, regular exercise, weight management, and dietary adjustments. These changes can lower blood pressure as effectively as one medication.

Types of Hypertension Medication

The most commonly prescribed class in Korea. Often the first choice
for patients with reduced kidney function or diabetes, since they help
reduce albuminuria and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Why Are There So Many Types of Blood Pressure Medication?

Hypertension has a wide range of causes and coexisting conditions,
which is why the Korean Society of Hypertension's 2022 guidelines
recommend choosing medication based on a patient's clinical profile
and comorbidities, not blood pressure numbers alone. A single medication
typically lowers blood pressure by only about 9/5 mmHg on average —
so rather than pushing one drug to a higher dose, combining low doses
of medications with different mechanisms tends to achieve
better blood pressure control with fewer side effects.
That's the reason so many different types of blood pressure medication exist.

Work by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. Particularly effective for patients with angina, since they also improve blood flow through the coronary arteries, and have been shown to slow the progression
of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries as well.

Why Are There So Many Types of Blood Pressure Medication?

Hypertension has a wide range of causes and coexisting conditions,
which is why the Korean Society of Hypertension's 2022 guidelines
recommend choosing medication based on a patient's clinical profile
and comorbidities, not blood pressure numbers alone. A single medication
typically lowers blood pressure by only about 9/5 mmHg on average —
so rather than pushing one drug to a higher dose, combining low doses
of medications with different mechanisms tends to achieve
better blood pressure control with fewer side effects.
That's the reason so many different types of blood pressure medication exist.

Particularly effective when elevated blood pressure is driven by sympathetic nervous system activation — a fast heart rate, tension, or stress.
The 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines
list beta-blockers as a first-line treatment for hypertension,
on par with the other primary drug classes.

Why Are There So Many Types of Blood Pressure Medication?

Hypertension has a wide range of causes and coexisting conditions,
which is why the Korean Society of Hypertension's 2022 guidelines
recommend choosing medication based on a patient's clinical profile
and comorbidities, not blood pressure numbers alone. A single medication
typically lowers blood pressure by only about 9/5 mmHg on average —
so rather than pushing one drug to a higher dose, combining low doses
of medications with different mechanisms tends to achieve
better blood pressure control with fewer side effects.
That's the reason so many different types of blood pressure medication exist.

Lower blood pressure by helping the body eliminate excess sodium and fluid. Rarely used alone, but play a key role as part of combination therapy.

Why Are There So Many Types of Blood Pressure Medication?

Hypertension has a wide range of causes and coexisting conditions,
which is why the Korean Society of Hypertension's 2022 guidelines
recommend choosing medication based on a patient's clinical profile
and comorbidities, not blood pressure numbers alone. A single medication
typically lowers blood pressure by only about 9/5 mmHg on average —
so rather than pushing one drug to a higher dose, combining low doses
of medications with different mechanisms tends to achieve
better blood pressure control with fewer side effects.
That's the reason so many different types of blood pressure medication exist.

Hypertension medication capsules

Diagnostic Process

Hypertension care involves more than lowering numbers—it also considers its impact on the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys.
At The Heart Internal Medicine Clinic, a cardiologist evaluates the causes and effects of elevated blood pressure to select appropriate treatment.
A structured treatment plan aims for long-term blood pressure control and complication prevention.

24-Hour BP Monitoring
Identifies white-coat and
masked hypertension and tracks
real-life blood pressure
patterns.
Organ Damage Assessment
ECG, echocardiography,
vascular imaging, and kidney tests
assess effects on
major organs.
Medication Selection
Considers coexisting conditions,
sympathetic activity,
and kidney and heart function
to tailor treatment.
Lifestyle Guidance
Salt reduction, exercise,
weight management,
and dietary guidance
are tailored to each patient.

Frequently Asked
Questions

A few things worth knowing before your visit.

Do I have to take blood pressure medication for the rest of my life?
For most people with hypertension, the goal is management rather than a cure.
Blood pressure often rises again once medication is stopped. That said,
significant lifestyle improvements can sometimes allow your dose to be reduced,
or the medication discontinued. Never stop taking it on your own —
always talk with your physician first.
Is it okay that my blood pressure rises when I'm tense?
A temporary rise in blood pressure during stress or tension is a normal response.
But if your blood pressure spikes repeatedly, or your heart rate stays elevated
even at rest, it may point to overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) can reinforce each other, creating a cycle that drives blood pressure
higher — and sleep apnea can factor into this as well. It may also be related
to white-coat hypertension, where blood pressure only reads high at the clinic,
or masked hypertension, where it only reads high in daily life. This is why relying
on office readings alone isn't enough — a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure test
gives a far more accurate picture of your actual patterns.
What if hypertension is found at a young age?
When hypertension is diagnosed relatively early, particularly before age 40,
it's important to consider secondary hypertension rather than assuming
it's the more common primary type. Renal artery stenosis, primary aldosteronism, thyroid dysfunction, and sleep apnea can all be underlying causes,
and together they account for a meaningful share of hypertension cases overall.
What blood pressure reading counts as a diagnosis of hypertension?
Elevated blood pressure measured in the clinic (130–139/80–89 mmHg)
doesn't typically call for medication on its own. But left unmanaged,
it can progress to true hypertension — and if diabetes, heart disease,
or kidney disease is also present, your target blood pressure
and treatment approach may change. This stage is when lifestyle changes
and regular follow-up matter most.
If my blood pressure comes back normal, can I stop taking my medication?
No. A normal reading may simply reflect that your medication
and lifestyle changes are working. Stopping medication on your own
because your numbers look fine can cause your blood pressure to rise again
and increase your risk of complications — always follow your physician's
guidance on how and when to adjust your treatment.

Information

134 Tongil-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F

Please use elevator No. 13 or 14,
then follow the signs toward Starbucks on the 2nd floor.

※ One hour of free parking is available
in the building during clinic hours.

Clinic Hours

  • Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Lunch Break 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Closed on Saturdays, Sundays
    and Public Holidays
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