At the Heart & Vascular Center, we integrate the needs and perspectives of patients and their caregivers directly into our care plans. We are dedicated to a patient- and family-centered philosophy that focuses on communication, comfort and convenience.
We combine the expertise of world-class surgeons, staff and support services with state-of-the-art technology and multidisciplinary teamwork. Our expert physicians and nurses have vast experience in treating all types of cardiovascular conditions, from the common to the most complex. Read more about our heart and vascular team.
All heart and vascular providers are available for in-person appointments and virtual visits. These virtual appointments are available across all cardiac conditions and give you a convenient way to connect with our cardiac care specialists without leaving your home. To request an in-person or virtual appointment, please call 857-307-4000, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm ET or learn about other options here.
If you are a new patient, please have available the following for your first appointment:
If this is a follow-up visit, please have available the following for your appointment:
Symptom screening: You will receive a phone call to screen for COVID-19 symptoms at least 48 hours before your visit. You will be screened again on the day of your appointment.
Patient Gateway online check-in: If you have Patient Gateway, you will have the ability to check in, and confirm your insurance and co-pays in advance of your appointment.
Mask policy: All patients, visitors and staff are required to wear a mask at all times. We will provide a mask that must be worn during the visit. This helps prevent the spread of infections.
Visitor policy: Review our visitor policy for the latest updates.
Virtual visits: We have increased our telehealth options and utilize virtual visits to help treat many of our patients. We will evaluate your individual needs, the purpose of each appointment and your personal preference to determine whether you should be seen virtually or in person.
Testing and imaging: Our imaging and laboratory sites are open. Your provider will alert you if testing or imaging are required prior to your clinic visit and will provide instructions.
Parking: Patients arriving for appointments at the Boston campus are invited to park in the 80 Francis St. or 45 Francis St. garages. Valet parking is also available at the 45 Francis St. and 80 Fenwood Rd. entrances. Please note that valet parking is not currently available at the 75 Francis St. entrance. Learn more about parking
Building entry: Patients with clinic visits scheduled at the Brigham’s main campus are asked to enter only through the 75 Francis St. or 45 Francis St. entrances at this time. For clinic visits at our ambulatory locations, patient entrances will be clearly indicated.
Checking in: We have developed new procedures that will limit the number of patients in the waiting room at one time and allow for appropriate physical distancing. These procedures may include waiting in your car for a call or text, or calling the office when you arrive before coming in. Please ensure you are familiar with each office’s procedure before your appointment.
Waiting room: Waiting rooms and other common spaces have been modified to encourage physical distancing.
Staff interaction: Doctors and staff will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for your clinic visit—including masks, gloves and face shields—throughout the entirety of your visit.
Cleaning: We are committed to keeping a safe and clean environment. To do so, we clean exam rooms and waiting rooms between each patient and have increased the frequency and intensity of cleaning of all high touch areas throughout our locations.
Checking out: After your appointment, please follow the check-out instructions at your clinic, which may include stopping at the front desk or a designated check out desk to schedule follow-up appointments.
Follow-ups: Your follow-up appointment may be conducted virtually. This will be determined on an individual basis.
Visitor policy: Review our visitor policy for the latest updates.
Pre-registration: You must pre-register by phone prior to your procedure.
Symptom screening: You will receive a phone call to screen for COVID-19 symptoms at least 48 hours before your procedure. Support persons and visitors will be screened upon arrival at the hospital. You will be screened again on the day of your procedure.
COVID-19 test: Two days prior to your procedure, you may receive a call from our team to schedule a COVID-19 test at one of our outpatient testing sites. If you cannot get tested in advance, you may receive a rapid test on the day of your surgery.
Screening and test results: If you are symptomatic during screening or test positive for COVID-19, you must reschedule your procedure.
Mask policy: All patients, visitors and staff are required to wear a mask at all times. We will provide a mask that must be worn during the visit. This helps prevent the spread of infections.
Testing and imaging: Our imaging and laboratory sites are open. Your provider will alert you if testing or imaging is required prior to your procedure and will provide instructions.
Parking: Patients arriving for procedures at the Boston campus are invited to park in the 80 Francis St. or 45 Francis St. garages. Valet parking is also available at the 45 Francis St. and 80 Fenwood Rd. entrances. Please note that valet parking is not currently available at the 75 Francis St. entrance.
Building entry: Patients are asked to enter through the 75 Francis St. or 45 Francis St. entrances at this time.
Checking in: We have developed new procedures that will limit the number of patients in the waiting room at one time and ensure appropriate physical distancing. These procedures may include waiting in your car for a call, or calling the office when you arrive before coming in. Please ensure you are familiar with each office’s process before your appointment.
Waiting room: Waiting rooms and other common spaces have been modified to encourage physical distancing.
Staff interaction: Doctors and staff will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for your procedure and care—including masks, gloves and face shields—throughout the entirety of your hospital stay.
Communication: We encourage patients to communicate with family members and friends virtually, and we have technology available for use if needed.
Cleaning: We are committed to keeping a safe and clean environment. To do so, we clean all applicable spaces between each patient and have increased the frequency and intensity of cleaning of all high-touch areas throughout our institutions.
Discharge: You will receive discharge instructions and then be taken to the lobby entrance by wheelchair to meet the person picking you up. Visitors can wait in their cars and hospital staff will call them when you are ready for discharge. If you’d like the person picking you up to hear the discharge instructions, your provider can call them to ensure they are included.
Follow-up care: Scheduling of follow-up appointments will take place in the procedural area, inpatient room or by phone after your visit is complete. Your follow-up appointment may be conducted virtually. This will be determined on an individual basis.
Life does not stop for caregivers because their loved ones are coping with a serious illness or disease. In fact, life gets infinitely more complicated—physically, emotionally and financially.
While caregivers help their loved ones through diagnosis and treatment, they also must go on with their daily activities and responsibilities. Usually, the caregiver must continue to hold down a job.
Traits that can be found in every loving caregiver are strength and patience, and these are admirable qualities. But to be truly strong, caregivers must give themselves permission to also care for themselves.
Research has shown that family caregivers experiencing extreme stress can age prematurely, and national agencies studying caregiving and health report that nearly 72% of caregivers report not going to the doctor as often as they should. 20% of employed female caregivers over 50 report symptoms of depression, as compared to 8% of their non-caregiving peers.
Caregivers need breaks. Caregivers will hear that time and again, but they might be so overwhelmed that they cannot decipher how to get those breaks. Below are some tips aimed at allowing you, the caregiver, some necessary respite.
While your loved one is in the hospital, take frequent breaks and let the hospital staff do the caregiving so that when your loved one comes home, you will be up to the task. Consider that it is not your job to stay at the bedside—your job is to prepare for the work that will come when your loved one returns home. Take a short walk outside; read a magazine; eat something healthy while sitting down. Taking small breaks throughout the day is very important to good health sustainability.
Take a walk in the hospital neighborhood or your own neighborhood; go to the gym. At Brigham and Women's Hospital, caregivers have access to a nearby gym, where yoga and other classes are offered. Contact Patient and Family Relations at (617) 732-6636 for more information. Caregivers are also encouraged to walk on the central hospital corridor called “The Pike,” which is a quarter mile in each direction.
Find a support group for caregivers in your area, and go alone to the meetings. Talking about the stress you are under is important and allows some release. It is not a sign of weakness or complaint.
Invite friends and family to visit your loved one so that you can run an errand, read a book or simply get some alone-time for yourself. Give a task to friends and family members who ask, “What can we do for you?” Try to realize that by offering friends and family members a way to help you or your loved one, you are making them feel valued and useful. They want to ease your burden.
Invite friends and family to visit you and surround yourself with good company.
Consider using Caring Bridge, a free website that allows the creation of a personal webpage, which visitors can then access to check on your loved one’s condition and ongoing treatment. This will relieve you of the burden of making daily phone calls to pass on news. Designate someone you trust who can create this webpage and update it daily.
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