A Cardiologist with Sports at Hear
– Dr. Wiwat Sanglertsilpachai –
At over 60 years old, Dr. Wiwat Sanglertsilpachai, a cardiologist at the Cardiovascular and Metabolism Centre at BNH Hospital, still maintains excellent health and a strong heart. This vitality is attributed to his consistent exercise routine, combined with his in-depth understanding of health, especially heart health, which he applies alongside his fitness regimen.
A Life Shaped by Sports
As a child, Dr. Wiwat grew up swimming in the canals of Taling Chan. If you can imagine a nostalgic scene from an old movie, with children jumping from bridges to swim in the canals, that was his childhood. However, unlike the typical movies, there were no scenes of hunting birds or fishing.
“I did try those activities, but I didn’t enjoy them much. I never succeeded in shooting birds or catching fish, so I would say I was just doing it without success.”
He attended a Chinese school until Grade 4, where he spoke Mandarin fluently. However, after transferring to a Thai school, he lost the ability to speak Mandarin, retaining only Cantonese from his family. Dr. Wiwat expresses regret over not continuing to use the useful language.
Dr. Wiwat has always had a passion for sports. He has enjoyed several sports, especially racket sports such as badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Even though he lacked proper equipment as a child, he would improvise by using a wooden bed frame as a substitute for a racket, and when there was no one to play with, he would practise by hitting the wall.
One of his childhood dreams was to become a professional athlete, with medicine never being part of his future plans. However, he eventually became the president of the sports club at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine.
After completing his studies, Dr. Wiwat served his medical training at Lamduan District Hospital in Surin Province, where he was immediately appointed as the hospital director, overseeing a 10-bed facility.
“With only two doctors at the hospital, and the previous director having completed his service, I ended up as the director.”
In this small community, the hospital’s workload was light, and his free time was mostly spent playing table tennis, volleyball, or driving to the district town to play badminton.
Discovering His Passion for Cardiology
During his three years in Surin, Dr. Wiwat developed a deep interest in cardiology and met a nurse who would eventually become his wife. He returned to study internal medicine at Chulalongkorn University, then started his family and embarked on his career as a specialist at BNH Hospital. He has remained at BNH for 27 years, treating it as his second home.
Throughout all the stages of his life, Dr. Wiwat has kept sports as an essential part of his routine, becoming a cardiologist who understands the needs of athletes.
His interest in preventive cardiology led him to study this field in Oregon, USA, alongside Dr. Nopparat Panthongwiriyakul (current BNH Hospital director). Upon his return, he committed himself to developing a comprehensive preventive cardiology programme.
“We can prevent and significantly reduce the risk of heart disease in the general population (Primary Prevention), and reduce the recurrence in patients who already have heart disease (Secondary Prevention), by combining medical knowledge with lifestyle changes and appropriate medication.”
Heart Health and Exercise
Dr. Wiwat integrates his knowledge of cardiology and exercise, applying it to both his personal life and his family’s wellbeing. He believes everyone, regardless of age, should be conscious of their heart health.
Dr. Wiwat has one son, who has been playing sports with him since childhood. Recognising his son’s talent, Dr. Wiwat supported him both financially and with his time. Their shared hobby is table tennis, which Dr. Wiwat took up seriously due to his son’s enthusiasm for the sport. His son has honed his skills to the point of being a member of the national youth team. This achievement is partly due to Dr. Wiwat’s role as a training partner and his application of medical knowledge in preparing his son physically and mentally.
“If you exercise more, your heart works harder. If the exercise intensity is too high, you won’t be able to sustain it, so you need to reduce it. If it’s too intense, it could be dangerous, and that’s where my knowledge of cardiology comes into play to train the body to build endurance.”
Dr. Wiwat advises those who want to manage their heart and vascular health to focus on cardio exercises, but not exclusively. It is essential to incorporate other forms of exercise for a balanced fitness regime.
“Combining various exercises is beneficial for the body in different ways. Cardio increases heart rate, and when you make it a game, you enjoy it more.”
The Best Type of Exercise
Dr. Wiwat believes exercise should be an integral part of everyone’s life. However, the key is to do it regularly without causing injury. For someone over 60 like himself, the maximum heart rate drops to about 160 beats per minute, so exercise should stay within a comfortable zone without being too intense. He still plays table tennis and badminton weekly, but he carefully selects the intensity of his exercise to prevent injury.
For younger individuals without health constraints, Dr. Wiwat recommends gradually building up fitness levels. For those over 45 or with known health issues, he advises having a health check before engaging in exercise to understand any limitations.
“For men over 45 and women over 50, or those who have gone through menopause, the risk of heart disease increases, so they should undergo health checks before starting exercise. For those with heart problems, weight training can be risky. If you do cardio gradually, with light weight training, it should be fine.”
A Holistic Approach to Health
Dr. Wiwat’s dedication to exercise and health has led him to advocate for a holistic approach to patient care. He ensures that his patients receive comprehensive care, not only treating their current conditions but also helping prevent future issues. This approach aligns with BNH Hospital’s policy of Complete Care, offering a full spectrum of care before, during, and after treatment—physically and mentally.
Outside of helping his patients, Dr. Wiwat strives to improve himself daily.
“I still have shortcomings, but I believe I can keep improving. I aim to be a better version of myself every day. Even a little improvement is better than nothing.”
Embracing Life’s Impermanence
Dr. Wiwat also integrates Buddhist teachings into his life. He practises mindfulness, meditation, and understanding the impermanence of life and the body, which has helped him maintain balance and peace of mind.
“Good health, a calm mind, and happiness = wellbeing.”
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Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, Lung Cancer Screening package
Take good care of these 3 vital organs that work hard every day, with a special check-up package by specialized doctors
Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, Lung Cancer Screening package
Take good care of these 3 vital organs that work hard every day, with a special check-up package by specialized doctors.
- Cardiovascular disease screening test : Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
- Coronary calcium scan: CT Calcium Score
- Lung cancer screening: CT Chest Low Dose
Brain, Lung Examination Package
Care for Your Body’s 2 Most Critical Systems: Special-Price Screening Package by Leading Medical Specialists
Brain, Lung Examination Package
Care for Your Body’s 2 Most Critical Systems: Special-Price Screening Package by Leading Medical Specialists
- Cardiovascular disease screening test : Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
- Lung cancer screening: CT Chest Low Dose
CT Calcium Score Screening
A coronary calcium scan is used to predict the occurrence and assess risk of cardiac event. The goal is to determine if CAD is present and to what extent, even if there are no symptoms. The information is also used to find an appropriate preventive measurement for coronary artery disease for each patient.
Who should have a coronary calcium scan?
A coronary calcium scan should be performed for people with the following risk factors:
- People aged 50 and older
- Patients with an intermediate risk of developing heart disease
- Patients with diabetes or kidney failure
- Patients with High cholesterol levels or high blood pressure
- Smoking
Carotid Doppler Ultrasound Package
The Carotid Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the blood flow through the carotid arteries and to detect narrowing of your carotid arteries or potential blockages caused by plaque. It helps to determine if you are at risk of having a stroke and to determine appropriate preventative measure or treatment to lower your risk.
Who should check this package?
Your doctor will recommend carotid ultrasound if you have medical conditions that increase the risk of stroke, including:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Family history of stroke or heart disease
- Recent transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
- Coronary artery disease
- Overweight or obese
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
WIWAT SANGLERTSILPCHAI, M.D.
นพ. วิวัฒน์ แสงเลิศศิลปชัย
Speciality
Internal Medicine
Cardiology
Education
Medical Degree, Doctor of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Board and Sub board Certification
The Medical Council of Thailand, Cardiology, Chulalongkorn University
The Medical Council of Thailand, Internal Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Language
Chinese
English
Thai
Gender
Male
Schedule
Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Centre
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00 - 15:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 09:30 |
| Wednesday | 15:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 13:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 15:00 |
| Saturday | - |
| Sunday | - |
This is the doctor's regular weekly schedule. Actual availability may vary — please confirm the available date and time when you make an appointment.