FAST Access 
in a Heartbeat

LEARN MORE

If your care team suggests a heart or vascular treatment or surgery, you should get a second opinion from the experts at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. We provide a seamless experience for our patients and referring physicians using a program called FAST, or Facilitating Access and improving Scheduling Throughput.

Having treated patients from all 50 states and 27 countries, we are a leading destination for specialized heart and vascular care. Whether you are newly diagnosed, have been told you need surgery, or have a condition that is rare or difficult to diagnose, our teams work together to evaluate and manage your heart and vascular needs.

Along with advanced resources, our specialists offer world-renowned expertise. We are committed to providing you with comprehensive care for a better quality of life. Our approach places you at the center of your care team for treatment tailored to your needs. We collaborate with you to help you make informed decisions about care plans based on your specific condition, preferences and treatment goals.

Northwestern Medicine offers world-class care in your neighborhood, including nationally and locally ranked hospitals.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital  |   Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital  |  Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital  | Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital 

312.NM.HEART (312.664.3278) | heart.nm.org | Inquiries: BCVI_info@nm.org

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Northwestern Medicine® is a trademark of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, used by Northwestern University.

Northwestern Medicine® | 251 E Huron Street | Chicago, IL 60611 | nm.org

Make an Appointment

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute offers comprehensive in-person or virtual heart and vascular second opinions at multiple locations. To make an appointment, fill out the form above or call 312.NM.HEART (312.664.3278).

Northwestern Medicine
Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute
at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Galter Pavilion
675 North St. Clair Street, Suite 19-100
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Northwestern Medicine
Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute
at Lake Forest Hospital

1000 North Westmoreland Road
Main Entrance
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 

BLUHM CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE

USNWR Best Hospitals - Heart & Vascular, 2024 - 2025

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, 2024 - 2025. Our impressive rankings are a reflection of the expert care provided and why patients choose to get their heart and vascular seconds opinions from Northwestern Medicine.

  • Highest heart failure survival in the nation.*
  • Highest available cardiology, heart & vascular surgery patient survival score since the metric was introduced
  • Rated “High Performing” (the highest ranking possible) for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, heart attack, heart failure and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

* Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, July 2019 – June 2022 (tied).

Northwestern Medicine
Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute
at McHenry Hospital

4201 Medical Center Drive
McHenry, Illinois 60050

Northwestern Medicine
Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute
at Palos Hospital

12251 South 80th Avenue, Suite 1520
Palos Heights, Illinois 60463

Talk to a Cardiovascular Nurse

Fill out the form below to talk to our nurses to help get the answers you need about your condition.

Cardiovascular Second Opinion Guide

Fill out the form to download the Second Opinion Guide, available at no cost. This guide offers information to help you make an educated decision about treatment for your heart or vascular condition.

Top heart and vascular experts are with you every step of the way.

No matter who you are or where you live, our experts are here to help. From your first call, we will guide you at every step of your journey.

Heart valve disease

Carotid artery disease

Aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysms

Advanced heart failure

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Radiation-associated heart disease

Bicuspid aortic valve disease

Pericardial disease

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Sports cardiology

To make an appointment, fill out the form below or call 312.NM.HEART (312.664.3278)

Patient Call > Nurse Navigator > Telehealth Visit > Scheduling Request > Procedure

We will schedule a virtual visit with a nurse coordinator within 24 hours of your first contact with us. They will be your point of contact and guide. 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 case. 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 treatment plan.

We offer virtual visits so you can get expert guidance right from your home. If you prefer an in-person visit or need tests, we have 18 convenient locations across Chicagoland. Most patients only need one visit with the physician before their surgery.

Learn more about the patient experience at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute

Experts in Heart and Vascular Care

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which anchors Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, is ranked among the top hospitals in the world for heart surgery.

Our highly specialized teams have extensive experience in caring for a wide range of heart care needs and conditions, including:

  • Heart valve disease
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysms
  • Advanced heart failure
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Radiation-associated heart disease
  • Pericardial disease
  • Irregular heartbeats, including atrial fibrillation
  • Heart disease and pregnancy
  • Sports cardiology
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