Vascular Medicine in Chicago

Vascular medicine, also known as angiology, is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all problems that involve the lymphatic and circulatory systems outside of the heart. These problems can involve:

• Arteries, which is the blood vessel that delivers oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
• Veins, which is the blood vessel that delivers blood back to the heart.
• Lymphatic system, which is the network of vessels that transport lymph throughout the body.

A physician who specializes in vascular medicine is called an avascular doctor or vascular medicine specialist. They are trained to provide comprehensive and effective care for all kinds of vascular diseases and conditions of the circulatory system. Some of the most common conditions are as follows:

• Peripheral arterial disease or claudication, which is blockages in the leg arteries that can cause pain when walking.
• Renal artery stenosis, which is blockages in the kidney arteries. It can contribute to chronic kidney disease and/or high blood pressure.
• Carotid artery stenosis, which is blockages in the kidney arteries. It can lead to a stroke.
• Venous problems, such as chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms, which is a bulging of the aorta. It can cause the aorta to rupture.
• Vasculitis, lymphedema, Raynaud’s, and varicose veins.

Vascular medicine doctors diagnose and treat all blood vessels conditions using numerous non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, such as:

• Abdominal aortic ultrasound
• Carotid ultrasound
• Venous and arterial ultrasound
• Wound care
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Endovenous laser and radiofrequency ablation
• Sclerotherapy and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
• Ambulatory phlebectomy
• Anticoagulation management and monitoring.

How Long Should I Stay in Chicago?

Since most vascular medicine procedures can be performed as an outpatient procedure, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day. Still, you should plan to stay in Chicago for at least 3 to 7 days to let your body recover and attend a follow-up checkup, if necessary. However, this depends on the condition and the type of treatment you will have. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Different conditions and procedures have different recovery times. In many cases, you can expect to return to work immediately or within a couple of days and strenuous activities within 5 days or so. However, for more serious conditions, such as renal artery stenosis, longer recovery time may be needed.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you aftercare instructions, which normally include activity restrictions, dietary and exercise recommendations, as well as how to care for yourself at home. Following all of the instructions is important to avoid complications and to speed up your recovery. If your doctor prescribes you medicines, make sure to take them as directed. For certain diseases, such as deep vein thrombosis, you may need to see your doctor regularly for scans to check your blood clots. If you cannot travel multiple times to Chicago, you can choose to have the checkups with your local doctor.

What's the Success Rate?

Over the last several decades, the clinical practice of vascular medicine has significantly changed. Understanding of vascular diseases is continuously expanding, resulting in the development of new therapeutic approaches. A better understanding of vascular conditions, new techniques, and technological advances have played crucial roles in improving the success rates and safety of vascular medical procedures.  

Are there Alternatives?

There is currently no alternative to vascular medicine. However, if your doctor thinks that you need surgery, they will refer you to vascular surgery. They will also refer you to a relevant specialist if your condition is found to be caused by something else unrelated to the lymphatic and circulatory systems.

Vascular Medicine in and around Chicago

About Chicago

The city of Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States of America, with a population of over 2.7 million people. The city is located on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan and is known as the “Windy City.” It is an international hub for culture, finance, commerce, technology, telecommunications, transportation, and industry. The city offers visitors a wide range of things to do. Whether you want to dine in its exquisite restaurants, have fun in the jazz clubs, wander around the green space, admire its architectural beauty, or go shopping. The city also provides top-notch medical centers that attract medical tourists from around 140 countries, especially from the Middle East region. These medical centers have world-class specialists and advanced technologies. Many patients come for cancer, orthopedic, or other complex treatment that they might not be able in their home country. 

Popular Areas in Chicago

• Millennium Park is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions located on Michigan Avenue. Here, tourists can discover a collection of architecture, art, and landscape design. The park includes Pritzker Pavilion, an amazing silver bandshell that hosts free weekly concerts every summer; Cloud Gate ‘the Bean’ mesmerizing silvery sculpture; Crown Fountain, an imperative work of public art and video sculpture; McCormick Tribute Ice Rink for skaters in the winter; and the tranquil Lurie Garden filled with stunning flowers.
• Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1879 and is the oldest museum in the city. It houses more than 300 thousand pieces of art and has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art outside the Louvre. Tourists can get intimate views of some of the world’s most popular artworks, from Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist to Etruscan pottery. Other important artworks in the museum’s permanent collection include Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, American Gothic by Grant Wood, Rainy Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte, and Day of the God by Paul Gauguin.
• Navy Pier was initially constructed as the world’s largest pier in 1914. It was built for shipping and entertainment. During World War II, the pier serves as a training place for pilots. Today, it has become a famous location for tourists to enjoy the cool breeze from the lake. Ride the Centennial Wheel which offers an astounding view of Chicago. The pier also hosts seasonal fireworks and concerts. Tourists can also find public arts on the pier, such as the Captain of the Helm Statue, Bob Newhart Statue, and Crack the Whip Statue.
• Wrigley Field is located on the North Side of Chicago. It is the home to one of the city’s Major League Baseball franchise, the Chicago Cubs. Fans of baseballs will be happy to visit and watch a game here. It was built in 1914 and is one of the oldest major league ballparks. It was the first ballpark to let fans keep foul balls. 

Weather and Climate in Chicago

Chicago experiences four distinct seasons.

• Spring is from April to June. The temperatures are good and enjoyable, making it the best time to visit the city. The average high in May is around 21°C. However, keep in mind that rain showers can occur.
• Summer starts in July and ends in August. The weather can be hot and humid, especially in August. The city is filled with tourists and families during this season. 
• Autumn starts in September to November and the weather is at its best in September, and there are fewer crowds in this season. The temperatures will slowly decrease, sometimes dipping to 4 °C at night.
• Winter will start from late November to March. The winter is cold and snowy, but December is known to be a wonderful time to visit the city because many holiday events and festivals transform the city into a winter wonderland. 

Getting Around in Chicago

O’Hare International Airport is the 3rd busiest airport in the United States. It serves domestic and international flights to many cities in the world, including London, Shanghai, Delhi, and Auckland. Low-cost carriers, such as Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, are a good and affordable option to travel to and from Chicago. 

Traveling around Chicago is fairly easy since the city has numerous public transportations. The buses and trains are operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and they are fast and inexpensive. The trains are known as the “L” trains and it is best to buy a CTA Visitor passes, which has unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses. A 1-day pass is $10, a 3-day pass is $20, and a 7-day pass is $28. 

Taxis can be found easily throughout the city. They can get a bit expensive, but they provide a convenient way to get around the city. The fares depend on gas prices and the number of passengers. Apps like Lyft and Uber are more cost-effective and are plentiful.

Tourists Visas in Chicago

Visa exemption access is given to Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda. Citizens of 38 countries (including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom) are selected for the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens from other countries not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver agreement are required to apply for a visa. Visitors may stay in the United States for 90 days. It is best to check the visa policy at the nearest United States Embassy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). For the current exchange rate to your local currency, check XE.com.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can easily find ATMs in almost every part of the city. Credit and debit cards are accepted in almost every restaurant, shop, and hotel. Tipping can be mandatory in Chicago, tipping at least 18% is generally expected in restaurants.
3. Local Language: The main language is American English and many people can also speak Spanish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the biggest religion in Chicago, followed by Islam and Judaism.
5. Public Holidays: Some of the major public holidays in Chicago are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.