Cardiology in Vilnius

Cardiology is a branch of medicine concerned with disorders of the heart. It is the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of such conditions as heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, and much more. Doctors who specialize in this branch of internal medicine are known as a cardiologist.

What Does Cardiology Involve?

Cardiology involves tests, including electrocardiogram to record the electrical activity of the heart, exercise test to see the changes of heart rhythm, echocardiogram that provides an ultrasound picture showing the structure of the heart, and cardiac catheterization to collect data and help relieve a blockage. There are numerous different treatments within cardiology for various different heart disorders, such as valvuloplasties, angioplasties, stenting, congenital heart defect corrections, as well as coronary thrombectomies. Nearly all treatments for heart diseases are major surgery and are performed under general anesthetic. 

How Long Should You Stay in Vilnius?

Your length of stay in Vilnius depends on which procedure you underwent. In general, you need to stay in the hospital for several days and also to stay in the country for an additional fourteen days or until your cardiologist allows you to travel home.

How Long is the Recovery Time?

The recovery period can be different from one person to another, depending on your overall health and any complications. You should expect to progressively regain your energy and go back to your normal activity level in about four to eight weeks after treatment, particularly following surgical treatments. 

What Aftercare Should You Consider?

You may need to attend regular follow-up appointments, either with your cardiologist in Vilnius or in your home country. You must make some lifestyle adjustments after you recover, including eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stop smoking, and limit your alcohol intake, to prevent future heart disease or complications. Your cardiologist may recommend you to get a cardiac rehabilitation, which will improve your health after treatment and help you recover after surgery.

What is the Success Rate for Cardiology?

Generally, the success rate depends on the specific procedure and your specific condition. Cardiology has helped millions of people around the world and if performed by experts, the risk of serious complications is very low. However, just like any other treatment, there are some risks to be aware of, such as bleeding, stroke, heart rhythm problems, blood clots, infection, valve dysfunction, and death.

Are there Alternatives to Cardiology?

Those who suffer from heart disorders do not have any other alternatives besides going to a cardiologist. However, if you do not want to undergo surgery or take any medication, you need to talk to your surgeon for the best alternative for your specific case.

What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?

Disorders of the heart can be dangerous, life-threatening, cause painful symptoms, and interfere with your ability to perform daily activities. After you have been treated by a cardiologist, you may be cured of your disease and your symptoms are relieved. 

Cardiology in and around Vilnius

About Vilnius

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and is also the largest city in the country, with a population of around 564,147. Vilnius was once referred to as the ‘Jerusalem of the north’ but the Jewish community was largely wiped out in WWII. The city does not hide its battle relics. Tourists will find museums dedicated to the Holocaust and preserved the KGB torture chamber. Other than its fascinating history, Vilnius also offers spectacular architecture, trendy bars, and hot-air balloons.

Vilnius is emerging as a medical tourism destination. Every year, medical tourism in Vilnius continues to expand and evolve. Medical treatments in Vilnius are gaining a powerful reputation among medical tourists. The vast majority of the medical tourists coming to Vilnius are from the Middle East, the United States, and Western Europe. Many tourists travel for Breast Augmentation or other cosmetic surgery. Kardiolita Hospital is one of the most popular medical facilities in the city. There are many reasons why local and international medical tourists come to Vilnius, including:

• Medical facilities with international standards such as JCI accreditation.
• Highly educated doctors and medical practitioners.
• Comprehensive diagnosis in just a single day.
• Foreign language speaking doctors and health care staff.
• Modern and secure equipment.
• Affordable prices for a wide range of medical treatment.

Popular Areas in Vilnius

Vilnius is a driving force behind Lithuania’s tourism sector. The city has affordable attractions, accommodations, and restaurants, Historical landmarks, extraordinary architecture, green spaces, and an array of cafes making the city a special place to visit.

• Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is located in the heart of Vilnius. The building has a Renaissance, Gothic, and early Baroque architectural styles. The reconstructed palace is now transformed into a museum with 4 exhibition tour routes related to the historical functions. A guided tour is in English, Russian, and German is available for tourists.
• Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum) is a museum with the darkest history in Vilnius. It is located in the former KGB building and preserved exactly how the KGB officers left the building. A museum is an excellent place for tourists who want to learn more about history.
• Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius is arguably one of the most interesting graveyards in Europe. The cemetery is the final resting place of Lithuanian leaders and locals lost to war. The most notable monuments are the Memorial of Red Army Soldiers and the monument of the victims of January 13, 1991.
• Gediminas’ Tower of the Upper Castle is the remnant of a brick castle built by the Duke of Lithuania, Vytautas Magnum. Tourists can get onto the top of the Gediminas Hill by foot or by the provided modern lift. While in the modern lift, tourists can see panoramic views of Vilnius along with the River Neris.

Weather and Climate in Vilnius

Summers in Vilnius is warm and dry, with occasional showers and chilly days. Summers are short, lasting for around two months from June to August. The average temperature in the summer is around 11 °C to 22 °C. Summers are usually the busiest time for the city’s tourism.

Although autumn is exceptionally beautiful and has many sunny days, the temperature will cool down rapidly during this season. It can get as low as -1°C in mid-November.

The winters are freezing when the average temperature plummets to -9°C. The temperature will remain below zero until March. Winters in the city can be an amazing time. However, it can be difficult in rural areas.

Spring usually arrives late in April and does not last very long. The temperature in Spring is cool and the green spaces are blossoming.  

Getting Around in Vilnius

Vilnius International Airport is the largest airport in Lithuania that connects the country with European cities. It is the hub for air Baltic and Get Jet Airlines. The airport serves many major airlines, as well as budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Tourists can take the airport taxis to the city center. The taxis can be found in front of the arrivals terminal. A ride to the city center should cost around 10 EUR to 18 EUR. The city bus is another option to travel to Vilnius city center. It is more affordable than taxis, with a single ticket costs around 1EUR.

Walking is the best mode of transportation for exploring the Old Town. A good portion of Vilnius’s attractions is located within walking distance. Buses and trolleybuses are also available, tickets cost 1 EUR which can be paid directly to the driver. Taxis are not very recommended because many taxi drivers are known to cheat foreigners. Uber is available.

Tourist Visas in Vilnius

European Union citizens, American, Canadian, Australian, and British can stay in Vilnius for up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries must apply and obtain a visa before entering Lithuania

The country is part of the Schengen Area, tourists who already hold a Schengen visa does not have to apply for a new visa to enter Lithuania. A passport valid for at least three months beyond the length of stay is required.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Since Lithuania adopted the euro in 2015, the official currency is the euro. 1 USD is equivalent to 0.88 EUR.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can withdraw money from ATMs. Visa and MasterCard credit cards are mostly accepted in hotels and restaurants. Tourists can tip 10% in restaurants if the service is good. Always tip in cash even when you’re paying with credit or debit cards.
3. Local Language: The official language is Lithuanian. Most people in the tourism area and the younger generation can speak English fluently. A large number of the population also speaks Russian and Polish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity (specifically Catholic) is the major religion in Vilnius. Small groups of the population follow Judaism, Islam, and other religions.
5. Public Holidays: Vilnius celebrates major Christian religious holidays. The city also hosts many annual festivals such as Capital Days in September, Culture Night and Trakai Medieval Festival in June, Street Musician’s Day in May, and Independence Day of the Republic of Uzupis in April.