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Resting heart rate varies from one individual to another, but the healthy range for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute. In some cases, issues with the heart’s electrical signals that trigger a heartbeat can cause an arrhythmia. This means that the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly.

Atrial Fibrillation, Explained

Atrial fibrillation, often referred to as Afib, is a rapid heart rate caused by irregularities in the heart’s upper chambers, or atria. It is the most common type of arrhythmia. Though the condition increases the risk of having a stroke, it is treatable with a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and non-surgical and surgical procedures. Here’s what to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

The heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinus node, is located in the upper right chamber. It triggers the signal that begins each heartbeat. Normally, the signal travels from the sinus node through the two atria and into a pathway between the upper and lower chambers. As it travels, your heart will contract, transporting blood both to and from the heart.

Atrial fibrillation begins in the heart’s upper chambers. The signals in the atria are irregular, which causes the upper chambers to shake. As signals try to enter the lower chambers, a fast and irregular heart rhythm is produced.

There are different types of atrial fibrillation categorized by their duration.

Paroxysmal Afib lasts for less than a week and typically does not require treatment.

Persistent Afib is continuous, lasting longer than a week but less than a year. Treatment is required.

Permanent Afib is continuous and treatment-resistant.

Most cases of atrial fibrillation stem from issues with the structure of the heart. These structural issues may be caused by coronary artery disease, a heart attack, a congenital heart defect, or heart valve disease. However, it is possible to develop the condition without a history of heart health issues.

The following risk factors are often linked to atrial fibrillation.

Other health conditions including diabetes, chronic kidney disease, lung disease, or sleep apnea

Not all cases of atrial fibrillation have noticeable symptoms. In some cases, one or more of the following symptoms may develop.

As many as 1 in 3 people with Afib may not know that they have the condition. It’s important to understand the condition’s risk factors and discuss your individual risk with your healthcare provider.

Due to the potential for blood clots, atrial fibrillation can lead to a greater risk for stroke. The irregular heart rhythm that characterizes Afib can lead to the accumulation of blood and the formation of clots in the upper chambers. If a clot breaks off from the heart, it may travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

The risk of a stroke related to Afib increases as you age. Having other conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart failure in addition to Afib may also increase your risk for a stroke. Staying on track with treatment and following your doctor’s recommendations is the best way to manage this risk.

Many types of atrial fibrillation are treatable. Treatment often consists of a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, non-surgical procedures or surgery. Several types of medications are used to treat Afib.

These medications prevent the formation of blood clots and treat existing clots. Commonly prescribed antiplatelets and anticoagulants include:

Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as apixaban (Eliquis®), dabigatran (Pradaxa®), edoxaban (Savaysa®), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)

Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers may be used to manage atrial fibrillation by controlling an individual’s heart rate. Commonly used to treat high blood pressure, beta blockers cause the heart to beat more slowly and less forcefully. Examples of beta blockers include:

Calcium channel blockers slow an individual’s heart rate by opening up narrowed blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the heart. They are often prescribed for individuals who have chest pain or high or low blood pressure in addition to Afib. Examples include:

Digoxin may also be prescribed to slow the flow of electrical currents from the atria to the ventricle.

Slowing down the heart rate is often the first goal of atrial fibrillation treatment. If this has been accomplished, a common next step is restoring the rhythm to normal.

Sodium channel blockers including flecainide (Tambocor®), propafenone (Rythmol®), and quinidine work on the heart’s electrical impulses, slowing its ability to conduct electricity.

Potassium channel blockers such as amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®), sotalol (Betapace®), and dofetilide slow the electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.

When taking any medication for atrial fibrillation, it’s important to stay on track with follow-up appointments and inform your doctor of any side effects.

If medications aren’t effective, your doctor may recommend a non-surgical procedure or surgery. Two common non-invasive procedures are electrical cardioversion, which resets the heart rhythm with low-energy shocks, and pulmonary vein ablation, which uses heat or cold energy to block electrical irregularities.

While not all cases of atrial fibrillation are preventable, many of the major risk factors are controllable. In general, practicing a heart-healthy lifestyle can lower your risk for the condition. This includes exercising for at least 150 minutes per week, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your alcohol intake, and refraining from smoking.

Read How to Prevent Heart Disease at Any Age for more on heart-healthy living.

At Alto, we make it as simple as possible to manage your risk for heart health issues and follow the treatment plan your doctor recommends. We will work with your doctor, your insurance (if applicable), and any third party savings programs that you may qualify for to ensure your medications are as affordable as possible. And our team of pharmacists is available to chat whenever questions come up about side effects or how to take your medication properly.

Reach out any time through in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Since the beginning, Alto has delivered a full-service pharmacy experience straight to your doorstep. With the launch of Essentials from Alto, we’re now covering even more of your pharmacy needs.

This new offering gives you the option to purchase essential pharmacy items in the Alto app along with your prescription medication, from Tums® and Tylenol® to Covid tests, face masks, and more. It’s all part of our promise to make it easy to prioritize your health and wellness — and to keep you out of long pharmacy lines, of course.

A Full Pharmacy At Your Doorstep: Introducing Essentials from Alto

Since the beginning, Alto has delivered a full-service pharmacy experience straight to your doorstep. With the launch of Essentials from Alto, we’re now covering even more of your pharmacy needs.

This new offering gives you the option to purchase essential pharmacy items in the Alto app along with your prescription medication, from Tums® and Tylenol® to Covid tests, face masks, and more. It’s all part of our promise to make it easy to prioritize your health and wellness — and to keep you out of long pharmacy lines, of course.

Select products are rolling out now to customers in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, and Houston, with the full Essentials from Alto experience coming to all locations by the end of July. Keep an eye out in the app!

Our pharmacy essentials will be offered automatically when you schedule a delivery. Here’s a sneak peak at what to expect.

Essentials from Alto is a curated collection of 50 widely used pharmacy products, conveniently featured in the Alto app. When scheduling a medication delivery, you will be able to browse the selection and add anything you need to your order at no extra cost.

At Alto, customers always come first, with all of our services designed to support your health and wellness. When developing Essentials from Alto, we made sure to include both general use items as well as products related to our core therapeutic areas.

Items available for purchase include but are not limited to:

Allergy & asthma essentials including Claritin®, Flonase®, Benadryl®, and Allegra®

Cough & cold essentials including Nyquil® and Dayquil®

Covid care essentials including rapid antigen tests and medical-grade face masks

Diabetes care essentials including glucose tablets

Digestive health essentials including Tums, Gas-X®, and stool softeners

Pain & fever relief essentials including Advil® and Tylenol

Vitamin & supplement essentials including vitamin D, vitamin C, fish oil, melatonin, and prenatal vitamins

You’ll pay for your essentials along with your prescription medications when you check out in the app, and then schedule them as one delivery.

As a reminder, your payment method options include Apple Pay, FSA/HSA, debit and credit cards, and automatic funds transfer.

To schedule a delivery, pick the day and delivery window that works best and let us know if we should bring your order to your home or office. You can designate a safe place for packages to be left if you won’t be home. 

Get tips for an easy Alto delivery experience.

We designed Essentials from Alto to better serve customers like you, and your feedback is key to improving the experience.

We’ll continue to refine our assortment of pharmacy essentials as we go. If there’s a particular product you’d like to see in the shop, we’re all ears. Send us a message at feedback@alto.com. 

At Alto, we’re more than just a pharmacy — we’re a partner in your health. We go above and beyond to get you the medication you need at the best price possible.

Free, same-day delivery is only the beginning. Our pharmacists are available until 9 pm PST on weeknights and 6 pm PST on weekends to answer any questions you have about your medication. We also offer support with insurance and finding the best price possible on your prescriptions.

Reach out any time through secure in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881 to learn more or transfer your prescriptions to Alto.

All third party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by Alto Pharmacy remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, Alto’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship or endorsement between Alto and the owners of these trademarks.

HIV treatment has transformed drastically since the virus was first discovered in the U.S. more than four decades ago. While there is no cure, HIV — short for human immunodeficiency virus — has become a manageable chronic health condition like many others.

The Evolution of HIV Medication

Today, the majority of HIV cases in the U.S. do not progress into AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV. Not only that, but also 57% of individuals living with HIV are not at risk of transmitting the virus to others.

That’s a testament to the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the frontline treatment for HIV. ART is a combination of medications that keep HIV from replicating, stopping the progression of the virus and preventing transmission.

Take a look at the evolution of treatment for HIV and learn how ART works.

Early HIV medication and the introduction of ART

HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system, making you more vulnerable to other illnesses. It is transmitted through contact with the blood, semen, or vaginal fluids of someone who has HIV. As the virus replicates and spreads, it destroys your CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a role in your immune system.

The first antiretroviral HIV/AIDS medication, azidothymidine (AZT), was approved to treat HIV in 1987. AZT blocked proteins that allowed the virus to replicate and spread. A so-called “monotherapy” consisting of a single medication, it had promising results in early clinical trials but ultimately proved ineffective in slowing the progression of HIV. This was due in large part to the fact that HIV can quickly change into new forms that are resistant to an individual medication.

The introduction of ART in 1995 was a significant breakthrough. By combining multiple HIV medications, it helped prevent the virus’ resistance to a single medication.

ART is a combination of medications that lower your viral load, which is the amount of HIV in your bloodstream. When taken every day as prescribed, these medications can help individuals with HIV maintain an undetectable viral load, virtually eliminating their risk of transmitting the virus to others. This both preserves the strength of your immune system and protects the health of your sexual partners. Many people living with HIV are able to achieve an undetectable viral load within six months of starting ART.

There are several FDA-approved ART therapies available by prescription. Each medication included in the therapy plays a critical role. Collectively, these medications prevent the virus from replicating, reduce your viral load, increase your CD4 count, and restore your immune system.

Currently, there are five types of medications included in ART therapies.

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcription inhibitors (NNRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) prevent HIV from replicating.

Entry or fusion inhibitors prevent HIV from penetrating CD4 cells.

Integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) target a critical step in the replication of the virus, preventing replication after HIV has entered a CD4 cell.

Most of today’s HIV treatment protocols combine three medications from two or more of the five classes above. Medical advancements continue to simplify ART, with medication protocols that consist of a single daily pill or a monthly injection.

Your provider will closely monitor your body’s response to your protocol. Thanks to the variety of options, it is easy to make adjustments as needed if you experience side effects or don’t achieve the desired results.

HIV treatment is critical for anyone living with the virus, regardless of how long they have had it. If you have been diagnosed with HIV, starting ART as quickly as possible is the most important thing you can do to protect your health and others.

There are several ways to find a healthcare provider for HIV treatment.

If you have a primary care provider, ask if they offer HIV treatment or can give you a referral.

If you tested for HIV at a clinic, ask if they offer HIV treatment or can give you a referral.

Use HIV.gov’s search tool to find HIV treatment services near you.

Some HIV medications can prevent transmission of the virus to a developing baby. If you or your partner is pregnant, or if you are considering starting a family, let your healthcare provider know so they can recommend the best treatment option.

Taking ART as prescribed in the long term is critical to its effectiveness. That includes not only taking the medication itself, but also attending follow-up appointments and completing lab tests.

If you are having trouble staying on track with treatment, ask your provider or pharmacist for suggestions. Many individuals find it helpful to combine their HIV medication with another daily habit such as brushing their teeth, or to set a reminder on their phone. The Alto app has medication management reminders to help you continue with your treatment.

If you have tested negative for HIV, there are important HIV prevention medications that can help you continue to protect your health.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, can lower risk of sexual transmission of HIV by 99% when taken as prescribed. It also reduces the risk of getting HIV from intravenous drug use by about 74%. PrEP may be right for you if you have a partner who is HIV-positive or unsure of their HIV status, or if you have multiple partners.

Read Debunking Common Myths about PrEP for more on getting started with PrEP.

PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication taken within 72 hours of potential exposure to HIV to lower your chances of contracting the virus. It is only for emergencies and accidental exposures. If you anticipate ongoing risk of exposure to HIV, speak with your doctor about potentially taking PrEP for long-term protection.

Financial resources for HIV treatment and prevention

For many individuals, cost is a barrier to both starting and continuing to take ART and PrEP as prescribed. Fortunately, HIV prevention medication and treatment continue to become more accessible, with generic PrEP options and expanded health insurance coverage of PrEP and ART.

The following resources can also help reduce the cost of HIV treatment and prevention medication:

Patient assistance programs and copay savings cards from medication manufacturers

State-funded PrEP drug assistance programs

Get support navigating HIV treatment and prevention medication

Our pharmacists have deep expertise in HIV treatment and prevention and can help you get started and stay on track with ART, PrEP, or PEP. We will coordinate with your healthcare and insurance providers to ensure that you’re receiving the best option for your needs at the best price.

Reach out any time through secure in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881.

The term “donut hole” refers to a gap in Medicare Part D prescription medication coverage. Once this coverage gap starts, you will likely pay more out of pocket for your medications. Here’s what to know about the Medicare donut hole, including how it may affect the cost of your prescription medications this year.

The Medicare Donut Hole, Explained

Medicare is a federally-run health insurance program for people age 65+ and people with disabilities, regardless of income. It is different from Medicaid, which is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a very low income.

Part A: coverage for inpatient hospital visits and skilled nursing facility services

Part B: coverage for physician and outpatient hospital services and durable medical equipment (DME) costs, including insulin pumps, blood sugar test stips, some continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), nebulizers, and oxygen equipment

Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage (MA) plans: offered by private insurance companies to provide the same benefits as Medicare Parts A and B; many also offer prescription coverage similar to Part D

Part D: coverage for prescription medications that are commonly dispensed from the pharmacy including respiratory medications and injectable insulin; may cover insulin patch pumps; you can change Part D plans each year

Part D plans have an annual coverage gap known as the donut hole. Once this begins, you will pay more for your medications until you reach the yearly limit on out-of-pocket costs.

The donut hole begins when your Medicare plan has paid a certain amount toward your prescription medications in a given year. This is sometimes referred to as the initial coverage limit. In 2022, the initial limit for prescription drug coverage on Medicare Part D plans is $4,430/year, an increase from $4,130 in 2021. 

Once in the donut hole, you become responsible for no more than 25% of your medication costs until you hit a certain out-of-pocket threshold and can exit the donut hole. For example, if a medication’s total cost is $100 and you pay a $20 copay during the initial coverage period, you will be responsible for paying $25 — 25% of $100 — while in the donut hole.

The out-of-pocket threshold is the amount of money you have to spend out of pocket before you are allowed to leave the donut hole. In 2022, the out-of-pocket threshold for Part D plans is $7,050, an increase from $6,550 in 2021.

The following count toward your total out-of-pocket costs while in the donut hole:

Out-of-pocket expenses for generic and brand-name medications

After you’ve reached the out-of-pocket threshold, you receive “catastrophic coverage.” During this time, your share of medication costs will drop significantly to either 5% of a medication’s cost or a small copay — whichever is higher.

The minimum copay for a one-month supply of generic medication for Medicare Part D plans in 2022 is $3.95, and the minimum copay for a one-month supply of brand-name medication is $9.85.

Medicare Extra Help offers financial assistance with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and copay costs related to prescription medications. Eligibility is income-based. Those who receive Medicare Extra Help will not enter the donut hole.

To qualify for the program in 2022, annual income is limited to $20,385 for an individual or $27,465 for a married couple living together.

For more information on Medicare and the donut hole, we suggest exploring the following resources.

www.medicare.gov - includes live chat and 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

The Medicare and You Handbook - includes key deadlines for enrollment and details on coordinating third party coverage from former employers, the military, and Veterans Affairs.

The Medicare Plan Finder - a trusted source for comparing Medicare coverage options.

Your choice of pharmacy can significantly impact the cost of your medications. At Alto, we prioritize your financial wellness alongside your physical health. Here are some ways we go above and beyond to ensure that you’re receiving your medications at the lowest price possible.

We research all your pricing options once we receive a prescription. If it is cheaper to pay cash for your medications, separate from insurance benefits, we’ll let you know so that you can make an informed choice.

We automatically search for potential sources of savings like manufacturer coupons, patient assistance programs, and copay cards and apply them when applicable. If we find any options that require you to apply directly with the program or manufacturer, we’ll let you know.

We continue searching for less expensive medication options even after we’ve researched savings opportunities, coordinating with your doctor to evaluate these options.

To get started or learn more about Alto, call 1-800-874-5881 or reach out through in-app messaging.

Resources for Affording HIV Medication

The HIV treatment and prevention landscape continues to evolve, with many effective medications. Antiretroviral therapy (ART), the frontline treatment for HIV since 1997, is a combination of medications that lower the amount of HIV in your bloodstream. When taken as prescribed every day, ART can help individuals with HIV achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load. As a result, more than half of all those living with HIV in the U.S. are not at risk of transmitting the virus to others.

On the prevention front, PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, can lower risk of sexual transmission of HIV by 99% when taken daily and reduces the risk of getting HIV from intravenous drug use by about 74%.

For many individuals, cost is a barrier to both starting and continuing to take ART and PrEP as prescribed. Fortunately, HIV prevention medication and treatment continue to become more accessible, with generic PrEP options and expanded health insurance coverage of PrEP and ART. In addition, the following resources, including patient assistance programs and copay savings cards from medication manufacturers, can help reduce the cost of HIV treatment and prevention medication.

Read on to learn more about eligibility for these programs, and revisit our previous post on state-funded PrEP drug assistance programs.

Many pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs (PAPs) to offset the cost of prescription medications for individuals without insurance or with insufficient insurance coverage. If Alto is your pharmacy partner for HIV treatment or prevention, your medication protocol may include medications manufactured by Gilead, which offers the PAP outlined below.

If your medications are manufactured by a different company, contact them directly to learn about any available financial assistance including PAPs.

Gilead's Advancing Access® Patient Assistance Program

Gilead's Advancing Access Patient Assistance Program provides medication free of charge to individuals without insurance who meet program eligibility criteria. There are several ways to learn if you are eligible:

Call 1-800-226-2056 (Monday-Friday, 9 am to 8 pm EST)

Print the enrollment form and submit it via fax

Copay savings cards from pharmaceutical manufacturers can help offset the cost of prescription medications for individuals with insurance. If Alto is your pharmacy partner for HIV treatment or prevention, your medication protocol may include medications manufactured by Gilead or ViiV Healthcare, which offer the copay savings cards below.

If your medications are manufactured by a different company, contact them directly to learn about any available financial assistance including copay savings cards.

Gilead’s Advancing Access copay savings card

Gilead also offers a copay savings card for individuals with insurance to reduce the cost of copays. Those who are enrolled in any state or federally funded prescription medication program such as Medicare Part D and Medicaid, or who are in the Medicare Part D prescription coverage gap, are not eligible.

Learn more about program eligibility and terms and conditions.

The ViiVConnect Savings Card Program helps eligible individuals with commercial insurance save on copay costs for select ViiV Healthcare medications. Those who are enrolled in any state or federally funded prescription medication program such as Medicare Part D and Medicaid, or who are in the Medicare Part D prescription coverage gap, are not eligible.

If you do not have insurance coverage of prescription medications, contact 1-844-588-3288 to learn about additional financial assistance opportunities from ViiV.

Created to help individuals living with chronic health conditions access the treatment they need, the PAN Foundation offers financial assistance for medication costs, copays, and insurance premiums.

Learn what financial assistance you are eligible for.

The Ready, Set, PrEP program provides PrEP at no cost to eligible individuals without insurance coverage of prescription medications.

Learn more about program eligibility and the application process.

Your financial well-being is our priority

At Alto, we understand how stressful it can be to navigate insurance coverage benefits and savings opportunities. We prioritize your financial wellness, working with your doctor, your insurance (if applicable), and any third party savings programs that you may qualify for to make ART or PrEP as affordable as possible. In addition to automatically applying coupon savings, we’ll connect you with any outside programs that require you to apply directly.

We also offer free, same-day delivery to make it as easy as possible to stay on track with treatment, and our dedicated HIV support team is here to answer any questions you may have about ART or PrEP. Reach out any time via phone at 1-800-874-5881, or in-app messaging.

Your heart’s ability to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body depends on the functioning of many different structural components. The heart’s four valves allow blood to flow through your heart in the right direction. When they don’t open or close properly, the flow of blood throughout your body is disrupted.

Understanding Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease refers to several conditions in which one or more of your heart valves doesn’t function properly. Without treatment, heart valve disease can potentially lead to other heart health issues, but it can be managed with heart medications, lifestyle changes, and, in more severe cases, surgical procedures. Here’s what to know about recognizing and treating heart valve disease.

Your heart has four chambers: the two upper chambers, or atria, which receive blood, and the two lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. Each time blood leaves or enters one of these chambers, it passes through one of the heart’s four valves:

The mitral valve, located between the left atrium and left ventricle

The tricuspid valve, located between the right atrium and right ventricle

The aortic valve, located between the left ventricle and the aorta, the heart’s main artery to the body

The pulmonic valve, located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery, which transports blood without oxygen from the heart to the lungs

Each valve has flaps that open and close with every heartbeat. The tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves all have three flaps, and the mitral valve has two. Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the valves doesn’t open or close, affecting blood flow. These conditions typically develop from one of two main issues with heart valves: regurgitation and stenosis.

Regurgitation refers to leakage of a heart valve. When a heart valve doesn’t shut completely, blood flows backwards. This reduces forward blood flow, causing the heart to fill with too much blood.

Stenosis refers to the narrowing of a heart valve, which constrains blood flow out of the ventricles. This causes the heart to pump blood more forcefully in order to get blood to pass through the stiff, or stenotic, valve.

Regurgitation and stenosis are not mutually exclusive; one valve can develop both issues at the same time. An individual with a heart valve disease may also have issues with more than one heart valve.

All types of heart valve disease cause the heart to work harder to pump blood. Since heart valve issues can significantly disrupt blood flow, these disorders can lead to other heart health issues without effective treatment. Heart valve disease is a contributing factor in many cases of heart failure, and it can also cause strokes, blood clots, or abnormal heart rhythms.

There are several factors involved in the development of heart disease, including the following.

A history of other heart health issues, including other types of heart disease or a history of one or more heart attacks

A history of other health conditions linked to heart valve problems, including infective endocarditis and rheumatic fever

Heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes

Aging may also play a role in the development of heart valve disease, as the heart valves — particularly the mitral valve — can degenerate slowly over time. In addition, aging can cause calcium to accumulate on the heart valves, most commonly the aortic valve, leading to aortic stenosis.

Some types of heart valve conditions are the result of congenital heart defects, meaning they are present at birth, including the following:

The severity of heart valve disease can vary significantly by individual. Some individuals may live with a heart valve condition for many years before experiencing any symptoms, and more mild cases may never cause any symptoms at all. When symptoms of heart valve disease are present, they often include the following.

An irregular heartbeat and/or heart palpitations

Low or high blood pressure, depending on the specific heart valve condition

Treatment of heart valve disease varies by individual, as there are many types of heart valve conditions and a wide spectrum of severity.

Some mild to moderate cases of heart valve disease may not initially require treatment; your doctor may want to observe the heart valve issue for a period of time. Other cases of mild to moderate symptoms may be successfully managed with medications. Medications commonly used to relieve symptoms of heart valve disease include:

Heart rate controlling medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin (Digox®, Lanoxin®, and Digitek®)

Blood pressure medications such as diuretics — which lower blood pressure by removing excess sodium and water — and vasodilators, which relax the muscles in the walls of blood vessels to improve blood flow

Some individuals with a heart valve condition may need surgery. There are different types of procedures that may be used, including heart valve repair surgery or heart valve replacement surgery. Sometimes a less invasive procedure called a balloon valvuloplasty is used for various types of heart valve stenosis.

The importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle

Not all types of heart valve issues are preventable, but some are. By managing your heart disease risk factors, you can lower your risk for heart health issues later in life, including heart valve disease.

Regular exercise can help you maintain healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. The American Heart Association suggests aiming for about 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

As you plan a heart-healthy diet, load up on foods that are low in saturated fats and trans fats. The AHA also recommends capping your sodium intake at 1,500 mg/day, as high sodium levels can raise your blood pressure. In general, processed or prepackaged foods like soups, cold cuts, bread, and frozen meals are high in sodium.

Read our previous blog, How to Prevent Heart Disease at Any Age, to learn about important heart disease prevention actions for your age group.

Alto’s launch in the Long Island market extends our industry-leading patient care model to even more of the New York metro area.

Hello, Long Island!

Alto’s launch in Long Island, New York, extends our industry-leading patient care model to even more New York-area residents.

With the addition of our latest pharmacy location in Plainview, Long Island, even more residents of the greater New York City metro area can now choose Alto’s same-day doorstep delivery for all of their pharmacy needs. Alto Long Island opens its doors today, Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

At Alto, we believe it’s our job to ensure you have your medications at the best price, on time and with the support you need. We bring the pharmacy to you - no more waiting in line, making an extra trip, or finding out your prescription isn’t ready to be picked up after you’ve already arrived. Our free doorstep delivery means your medications come directly to you on the day and time you select, and most medications are available the same-day. Stay up to date on your courier’s progress with text alerts and in our mobile app. 

Starting a new medication or doing an injection for the first time? Message a pharmacist with your questions, even in the evenings and on weekends. And we’re a full service pharmacy - we stock all major brand, generic, over-the-counter and specialty medications, meaning your entire family’s pharmacy needs can be managed in the Alto app and coordinated into one delivery.

Courier delivery windows
Monday - Friday: 

12:30 – 3:30 pm ET (1:30 – 4:30 pm ET for outlying areas)*

6:00 – 9:00 pm ET (7:00 – 10:00 pm ET for outlying areas)

2:00 –5:00 pm ET (3:00 – 6:00 pm ET for outlying areas)

Need to pick up? Our new Long Island pharmacy is located at 100 Manetto Hill Road, Suite 104, in Plainview.

Monday - Friday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
Saturday - Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm ET

New York residents interested in using Alto’s services for their medication needs can ask their doctor’s office to send all prescriptions to Alto Pharmacy (via ePrescribe or phone). Have existing prescriptions at another pharmacy? Start a transfer online or give us a call at 1 (800) 874-5881, and we’ll handle the switch. 

General customer support hours are Monday - Friday 9 am - 12 midnight ET and Saturday - Sunday 10 am - 9 pm ET. Patients can reach out to Alto via phone at 1 (800) 874-5881 or app.

Blog

Atrial Fibrillation, Explained

A Full Pharmacy At Your Doorstep: Introducing Essentials from Alto

The Evolution of HIV Medication

The Medicare Donut Hole, Explained

Resources for Affording HIV Medication

Understanding Heart Valve Disease

Hello, Long Island!

Understanding the Different Types of Asthma

Managing Type 2 Diabetes at Any Age

Five Black Healthcare Leaders to Celebrate

An Introduction to Skin Health

The Right Way to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler

Switch to a better pharmacy.