We were living in Seoul, and he’d always been the typical ajeossi—loved his late-night samgyeopsal with soju, rarely exercised, and shrugged off swelling in his legs as “just age.” One morning, he woke up with sharp leg pain and visible varicose veins. We rushed him to the ER, and the diagnosis hit us: early signs of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). That day changed everything for our family.
As we navigated Korea’s healthcare system, we realized how easy it is to overlook vascular health—until it’s too late. But the truth is, a few lifestyle changes and preventive steps can make a huge difference.
What We Learned – and What I Now Recommend:
1. Prioritize Daily Movement
In Korea, it’s easy to sit all day—whether you’re in an office, at a cafe, or commuting. We started doing short walks after dinner (even 20 minutes helps), and my dad picked up stretching exercises. If you work a desk job, stand up every hour and move around.
2. Rethink the Diet
Korean food is delicious, but often high in sodium. We started cooking at home more often—less jjigae, more grilled veggies, lean proteins, and fiber. Avoiding processed carbs also helped my dad drop a bit of weight, which reduced pressure on his veins.
3. Watch Out for Smoking & Alcohol
My dad quit smoking (finally), and drastically cut back on alcohol. Both habits constrict blood vessels and increase the risk of vascular issues.
4. Compression Stockings & Elevation
For people with varicose veins or standing jobs, compression stockings can really help. So does elevating your legs after a long day.
5. Don’t Wait for Symptoms—Get Checked
Here’s the biggest takeaway: Don’t wait until something hurts. Vascular problems can be silent for years.
Our Turning Point: Clinic Charm Vascular Clinic
After the hospital scare, we searched for a specialized clinic—and we found Clinic Charm Vascular Clinic. I honestly can’t recommend them enough.
Their team is led by Dr. Insoo Park, a true expert in vascular surgery who instantly put my dad at ease. We also met Dr. Junsung Kwon, Dr. Sujin Park, and Dr. Suwon Oh—each one brought a different strength and a very human approach to care. These aren’t just doctors; they’re vascular detectives who look at your full health picture.
More info on them here:
They did advanced diagnostics, treated my dad’s issues non-invasively, and set him on a proper lifestyle + treatment plan. What really stood out was how they explained why certain habits mattered—making it way easier for my dad to stick to changes.
Final Thoughts
Vascular health is one of those things you don’t think about until it disrupts your life. But Korea’s healthcare system is incredibly efficient—if you go to the right specialists early.
My advice? Start with small, daily changes. And if you’re in or near Seoul and want a trustworthy, specialized team, go straight to Clinic Charm Vascular Clinic. Your future self (and your legs!) will thank you.