FAST Access to Expert Heart Care

From the first time you contact us, we will guide you at every step of your journey through a program called FAST, or Facilitating Access and Scheduling Throughput.

The FAST program is designed to connect you with the right people and get you the answers and care you need quickly. FAST helps ensure you have seamless access to our specialized programs that best fit your needs at a location convenient for you.

Vein Center Patient Education Guide

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We are proud of our U.S. News & World Report rankings - a reflection of the leading-edge cardiac and vascular services we offer and the results we achieve for our patients, their families and the region we serve.

• No. 1 in the Chicago metro region and Illinois for the ninth straight year
• No. 6 in the nation out of 620 cardiac programs
• Highest ranked survival score (10 out of 10) for six consecutive years
• Highest ranked cardiac program in the region: Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri and Iowa

In addition, we are extremely proud to have the highest heart failure survival in the nation and the second highest heart attack and stroke survival in the nation, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

BLUHM CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is ranked among the top 20 hospitals in the world for cardiac surgery by Newsweek and No. 7 in the nation for cardiology, heart & vascular surgery by U.S. News & World Report, 2025 - 2026.

How does FAST work?

We will schedule a virtual visit with a nurse coordinator within days of your first contact with us. They will be your guide through your care journey. The coordinator will: 

• Recommend a physician for your visit.
• Help collect your medical records.
• Schedule your appointments and any tests and procedures.

After your intake visit with our nurse coordinator, our physicians will review your medical information. They will offer treatment recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Then, you will meet with a physician to discuss your treatment options and develop a care plan.

We offer virtual visits so you can get expert guidance right from your home. If you prefer an in-person visit or need testing, we have multiple convenient locations across the Chicago area.

HEAR FROM OUR PATIENTS

To make an appointment, call 312.NM.HEART (312.664.3278) or schedule online.

TALK TO AN EXPERT

No matter where you live, our heart and vascular experts are here to help. Ranked among the top 10 in the nation¹ and among the top 20 in the world for cardiac surgery², our multidisciplinary team is equipped to care for the full range of heart conditions, from common to complex. Over 96% of our patients recommend their physician³, and we’re proud to offer comprehensive, compassionate care with advanced treatments and resources.

We provide virtual or in-person appointments at multiple locations throughout the Chicago area. Whether you live far away or around the corner, we make it easy for you to schedule visits, get the care you need and manage your condition for the rest of your life.

1. Northwestern Memorial Hospital as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2025 – 2026, in cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
2. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Newsweek, 2025
3. Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute Patient Experience Surveys, Fiscal Year 2025