Telehealth Heart Care

Heart care should fit your needs, your health and your schedule. Telehealth heart care makes it easier to connect with a Banner Health provider without leaving home. 

Through a secure video visit, you can talk with a heart specialist, ask questions, review test results and get guidance for your care plan. Your provider can help determine whether a telehealth visit or in-person appointment is right for your needs. 

Important: Telehealth is not for emergencies. If you or someone near you may be having a heart attack, call 911 right away. 

What is telehealth heart care? 

Telehealth heart care lets you meet with your heart doctor or care team through a secure video visit. You can use a smartphone, laptop, computer or tablet with internet access and video. 

During a telehealth visit, you can talk face-to-face with your provider from home or another private location. Your provider may discuss symptoms, review your medical history, go over test results, adjust medications or recommend next steps in your care. 

Learn more about Banner Health’s telehealth services. 

When can telehealth be used for heart care? 

Some heart care visits can be done virtually instead of in person. Telehealth may be a good option when your provider does not need to do a hands-on exam or perform testing during the visit. 

Telehealth heart care may be used for: 

• Follow-up visits 
• Test result reviews 
• Medication questions or prescription refills 
• Short- and long-term care planning 
• Review of symptoms or changes in how you feel 
• Ongoing management of some heart conditions 
• Questions about heart disease risk factors, prevention or treatment 

Your provider will let you know whether your visit can be done by video or should be scheduled in person. 

When do you need in-person or emergency heart care? 

Telehealth is helpful for many routine heart care needs, but it is not right for every situation. Some symptoms require in-person testing, urgent care or emergency care. 

Call 911 right away if you have symptoms that may be signs of a heart attack, such as: 

• Chest pain, pressure, tightness or discomfort 
• Pain that spreads to your arm, back, neck, jaw or stomach 
• Shortness of breath 
• Sweating, nausea or lightheadedness 
• Sudden weakness or fainting 
• Symptoms that feel severe, sudden or unusual 

You may also need an in-person visit if your provider needs to check your heart, listen to your lungs, perform an electrocardiogram (EKG), order imaging or complete other testing. 

What to expect during a telehealth heart visit 

A telehealth visit is similar to an in-person appointment, but you connect by video. Your provider may ask about your symptoms, medications, recent test results, blood pressure readings, heart rate or other health updates. 

Depending on your needs, your provider may: 

• Review your symptoms and health history 
• Discuss your heart disease risk factors 
• Go over recent lab work or heart test results 
• Review your medications 
• Recommend lifestyle changes 
• Decide whether you need follow-up testing 
• Help you plan your next in-person or virtual visit 

You may want to write down your questions before your appointment so you do not forget anything during the visit. 

How to prepare for a telehealth heart appointment 

Before your video visit, gather any information your provider may need. This can help make the appointment more useful and efficient. 

For your visit, you may need: 

• A smartphone, laptop, computer or tablet with video and internet access 
• A quiet, well-lit, private space 
• A list of your current medications and doses 
• Recent blood pressure, heart rate or weight readings, if you track them at home 
• Any recent medical records or test results your provider requested 
• A list of symptoms, questions or concerns 
• Your insurance information, if needed 

Try to log in a few minutes early so you have time to check your sound, camera and internet connection. 

For a step-by-step guide on setting up your device, visit Banner Health’s Telehealth Resources page. 

How to schedule a telehealth heart appointment 

Talk with your provider’s office to see if telehealth is right for your heart care needs. The office can help you schedule your appointment and send any forms or instructions before your visit. 

Your care team will also let you know whether your appointment should be virtual or in person based on your symptoms, condition and care plan. 

Benefits of telehealth heart care 

Telehealth can make it easier to stay connected with your care team, especially for follow-up care or routine questions. 

Benefits may include: 

• Convenient access from home 
• Less travel time 
• Easier follow-up after testing or treatment 
• Support for medication and care plan questions 
• Continued connection with your heart care team 

Telehealth does not replace all in-person care, but it can be a helpful part of your overall heart health plan. 

Get care when and where you need it 

Banner Health heart specialists are here to help you stay on top of your heart health. Whether your next visit is virtual or in person, your care team can help answer your questions and guide your next steps. 

Talk with your provider to learn more about telehealth and in-person options for heart care.