Managing chronic conditions (blood pressure, diabetes)
High blood pressure and diabetes damage the body without symptoms. Consistent management is everything.
Why they matter
They cause almost no symptoms, but left alone they lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, blindness and amputation. Taking medication greatly reduces these complications.
Where to manage them
- A local internal medicine clinic — regular consultation and prescriptions. The foundation.
- Public health centres — depending on the area, free blood pressure and glucose checks, chronic disease education, and registration programmes. Low cost.
- Health check-ups — the key to early detection. See health-checkup.
How to manage
- Take medication at the same time every day. Don't stop because you feel fine.
- Measure and record blood pressure and glucose at home. Showing the record at consultations helps.
- Don't skip regular appointments. Book before your medication runs out.
- Eat less salt, stop smoking, cut down alcohol, walk.
- Check your feet daily. With diabetes, small wounds become serious.
Where to go
- A local internal medicine clinic
- Your local public health centre (chronic disease programmes)
- 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service (check-ups)
- 1339 Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
- 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation
Questions people ask
Do I take medication for life? Often yes. Sometimes it can be reduced as lifestyle improves. Adjust it in discussion with your doctor — never stop on your own.
Why take medication with no symptoms? To prevent complications. By the time symptoms appear it is often too late.
Consultations are hard without Korean. Use 1577-1366 interpretation or find a hospital with interpretation services. See hospital-interpretation.
I have no health insurance. Try a public health centre first — some offer free measurement and education. See medical-cost-without-insurance.
Take care
Never stop or skip medication on your own. Stopping blood pressure medication abruptly can be dangerous. If you have side effects, tell your doctor before stopping. "Miracle" blood pressure and diabetes remedies sold online are dangerous.
Related
medication-refill · health-checkup · hospital-interpretation · medical-fee-support · how-to-see-doctor
Source
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency www.kdca.go.kr / As of 2026-08