I’m in my early 60s, generally healthy but with a history of diabetes and mild hypertension. When I first noticed cramping in my calves while walking, I brushed it off. But eventually, even climbing stairs became a struggle. That’s when I went to see a specialist and was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD) — something that hits closer to home as you age, especially in Korea where lifestyle, diet, and stress all play their part.
Naturally, my next question was: If I get surgery, what are my chances of success — at my age? I wasn’t just looking for general stats. I wanted real outcomes, ideally from patients like me, right here in Korea.
What I Found: The Reality of Vascular Surgery in Korea
Vascular surgery here is actually quite advanced. Korean hospitals have access to world-class imaging, minimally invasive tools, and highly trained specialists. In fact, success rates for procedures like endovascular interventions (angioplasty, stenting) are above 90%, especially when it comes to restoring blood flow in moderate PAD cases.
Open surgical options (like bypass surgery) have a slightly more complex recovery, but for otherwise healthy patients in their 60s or 70s, long-term success and limb salvage rates are also very high — upwards of 85-90%, depending on the severity and comorbidities.
But these are just numbers — what mattered more was who would be performing the procedure.
Why I Chose Charm Vascular Clinic
After some research, word-of-mouth recommendations, and honestly, a bit of scrolling through clinic websites, I found Charm Vascular Clinic.
The team there — Dr. Insoo Park, Dr. Junsung Kwon, Dr. Sujin Park, and Dr. Suwon Oh — impressed me not just with their credentials, but with the way they listened. They didn’t rush. They went over my scans, my lifestyle, my goals — not just the condition. They gave me real talk: the risks, the benefits, and the data specific to someone like me. That kind of personal care is rare.
They recommended an endovascular approach. The procedure was done under local anesthesia, with minimal discomfort. I was walking (carefully) the next day, and fully back to daily life within two weeks.
And a year later? No more leg pain. Blood flow is strong. I even started hiking again — something I thought I had to give up for good.
Final Word
If you’re asking about your chances of success: yes, they’re good. Especially in Korea, where vascular surgery outcomes are on par with — if not better than — many Western countries. But don’t just go anywhere. The skill of your doctor makes or breaks the outcome.
That’s why I recommend Charm Vascular Clinic. Their experience, personalized care, and patient-first mindset made all the difference for me.
If you’re thinking about taking that step — you’re not alone. And you’ve got some of the best right here in Korea.