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About 9% of men and 11% of women in the U.S. have faced fertility issues. These challenges may feel overwhelming, but there are a variety of treatment options for both male and female infertility to support your family building journey.

Here’s an overview of the causes and symptoms of male and female infertility and common fertility treatments.

Infertility, Explained

About 9% of men and 11% of women in the U.S. have faced fertility issues. These challenges may feel overwhelming, but there are a variety of treatment options for both male and female infertility to support your family building journey.

Here’s an overview of the causes and symptoms of male and female infertility and common fertility treatments.

Infertility, defined as the inability to get pregnant after twelve months or more of unprotected sex, is a health condition that affects both men and women. Approximately one-third of infertility cases stem from a female reproductive factor, one-third stem from a male reproductive factor, and one-third stem from a combination of both or unknown causes.

These are some common causes of female infertility.

The majority of female infertility cases are caused by problems with ovulation, the release of a mature egg from the ovaries. There are several causes of ovulation disorders, including the following.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by a hormone imbalance that impacts ovulation. It is the leading cause of female infertility.

Excessive exercise, eating disorders, or stress, each of which can result in hormonal imbalances

Primary ovarian insufficiency, sometimes referred to as premature ovarian failure

Fallopian tube damage or blockage can prevent sperm from reaching an egg, or fertilized eggs from attaching to the uterus. Common causes of fallopian tube damage or blockage include pelvic inflammatory disease — an infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes from chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other sexually transmitted infections — or a prior surgery in the abdomen or pelvis, including surgery for ectopic pregnancy.

Uterine or cervical issues such as the following can disrupt the implantation of an egg into the uterus or increase a woman’s risk for miscarriage.

Benign polyps or fibroids may block fallopian tubes or interfere with the implantation of an embryo. However, many women with these growths are able to conceive.

Structural issues with the uterus that are present at birth

Cervical stenosis, a narrowing of the cervix

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that should only grow in the uterus implants and grows elsewhere. The abnormal tissue growth — as well as surgical procedures to remove it — can block the fallopian tubes, preventing the fertilization of an egg. In some cases, endometriosis may interfere with implantation of the fertilized egg, or embryo.

Male infertility is most often an issue of sperm production — including the quantity and quality of sperm produced — or of sperm mobility, which affects the sperm’s ability to find and fertilize an egg. A blockage in the testicle or damage to the reproductive organs can also contribute to male infertility.

Age is a factor in both male and female fertility issues. The quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs begin to decline as she enters her mid-thirties, and age factors into the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Many individuals and couples first learn of a fertility issue after trying to conceive without success, and the primary symptom of infertility is the inability to get pregnant. There aren’t always noticeable symptoms, but the following may indicate an underlying fertility problem.

A menstrual cycle that’s irregular, absent, longer than 35 days, or less than 21 days

Unusually light or heavy bleeding during menstrual cycles

Erectile dysfunction or low sex drive in men

The timeline for seeking fertility treatment depends on your age. If you are under the age of 35, most health experts suggest consulting a reproductive specialist after a year of trying to conceive. If you are between 35 and 40, you may want to pursue testing or treatment after six months of trying to become pregnant. And if you are over 40, you may want to pursue testing or treatment before you start trying to conceive.

An evaluation for fertility issues and potential treatment begins with a conversation about your health history. Several tests may be used during the diagnostic process, including the following.

An hysterosalpingogram (HSG), an x-ray taken to examine issues within the uterus and fallopian tubes

Blood tests to measure hormone levels related to fertility and reproduction

Ovarian reserve testing, which evaluates the number of viable eggs in your ovarian reserve. These are typically used for women over 35 or those at risk of a low egg count for other reasons.

A semen test is used to diagnose most cases of male infertility. This identifies how many sperm you produce and whether the sperm are normal in shape and movement — healthy sperm have an oval head and long tail. In some cases, additional blood tests and/or genital ultrasounds may be used to rule out other health conditions.

Fertility problems do not mean that you won’t be able to have children biologically. There are many treatment options that can help increase your chances of conception. The most effective course of treatment depends on the underlying cause of your or your partner’s fertility issues. These are among the most common fertility treatments.

Forms of assisted reproductive technology (ART) including in vitro fertilization (IVF), a process in which eggs and sperm are fertilized in a laboratory and then placed into the uterus with the potential outcome of a pregnancy. In addition to treating female infertility, IVF can also be used when male infertility is a factor.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI), a type of artificial insemination in which sperm that have been washed and concentrated are placed directly into a woman’s uterus during ovulation.

Injectable fertility medications including gonadotropins and oral fertility medications such as Clomid® and Femara® can treat fertility-related hormonal imbalances.

Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes or treating a related health condition.

A fertility pharmacy partner you can rely on

Since 2016, Alto has supported more than 50,000 fertility journeys. We understand that fertility treatment is a significant investment — physically, emotionally, and financially — and we see ourselves as a partner in your health.

We offer free, same-day delivery seven days a week and temperature controlled packaging to ensure that your fertility medications always arrive in the right condition. And our fertility-trained pharmacists are available until 9 pm PST (12 midnight EST) on weeknights to offer any support you need.

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

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.

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.

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.

It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed after receiving a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — living with a chronic lung disease brings changes to many aspects of life. Many people don’t realize that the condition is highly treatable, and that there are things you can do to slow the progression of COPD. To help you better understand and manage your COPD, let’s take a look at five common misconceptions surrounding this lung disease.

Misconception About COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease refers to a group of progressive lung diseases. The two primary diseases under this umbrella are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Most people with COPD have both conditions, but it’s possible to have just one.

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema affect the lungs in different ways. Chronic bronchitis causes inflammation in the airways leading to your lungs, which leads to a chronic cough and increased mucus. Emphysema destroys your lungs’ fragile air sacs, or alveoli, obstructing airflow. When alveoli become damaged, the lungs cannot fully expel air carrying carbon dioxide out of the body, so some of it remains trapped in your lungs. Oxygen-rich air is then blocked from entering the lungs, which causes gradually worsening shortness of breath.

COPD may not be curable, but it is highly manageable. There are many treatment options that can ease symptoms and improve your quality of life, while also preventing the condition from progressing into a more advanced stage. In addition to lifestyle changes, COPD treatment may consist of medications, supplemental oxygen therapy (typically used for COPD caused by emphysema), and surgery in more advanced cases.

Medications commonly used to treat COPD include bronchodilators, which relax the muscles around the airways to make breathing easier, and inhaled corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation in the airways and prevent COPD exacerbations, or flare-ups.

Other medications may be used to treat exacerbations or more severe cases of COPD, including oral steroids and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors.

3. After a COPD diagnosis, it’s too late to quit smoking.

There is never a bad time to stop smoking and quitting is the most important thing you can do to manage COPD. Since COPD is a progressive lung disease, symptoms gradually become more severe over time. While it’s true that you cannot reverse the damage to your lungs caused by smoking, you can prevent COPD from progressing into a more advanced stage by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. In fact, many people with early-stage COPD are able to regain near-normal lung function after quitting tobacco use. Even if your COPD has already progressed to a more advanced stage, quitting smoking will help reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups and other health complications.

If you are having trouble quitting, ask your doctor for smoking cessation resources. They may be able to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy to help with withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Watch our webinar for more on the role of smoking cessation in COPD treatment.

The lung damage caused by COPD can affect other areas of the body. The condition can increase your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. It may also lead to pulmonary hypertension, a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries that transport blood to your lungs. The risk of these potential health complications is one reason it’s so important to get an early diagnosis, and to follow the treatment plan your doctor recommends in order to slow progression.

People with COPD are also more likely to contract the flu or pneumonia — and to have more intense symptoms of these illnesses — so as part of your COPD treatment plan, stay current with your yearly flu and pneumonia vaccines.

Quite the opposite — regular physical activity is key to maintaining a good quality of life and living healthily with COPD. While it may seem counterintuitive to exercise when you’re short of breath, physical activity can make it easier to breathe in the long run by strengthening your respiratory muscles.

It’s important to take it slow and practice gentle exercises that don’t overexert your lungs. Your doctor can help you determine appropriate activities based on your experience of COPD.

You may also benefit from a pulmonary rehabilitation program, which helps many people with COPD manage their condition and improve their quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an outpatient exercise and education program where physical therapists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals share breathing techniques, nutritional advice, exercise recommendations, and other strategies for living with COPD.

Let Alto Pharmacy support your COPD treatment

We’re here every step of the way to help you manage COPD symptoms and get the medications you need, with free same-day delivery and easy-to-use medication management reminders in our app.

And our team of pharmacists are always here to answer your questions by phone or in the Alto app. Reach out any time through in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881.

Arteries are a critical part of your circulatory system, transporting blood and oxygen from the heart to the rest of the body. As you age, a variety of substances collectively referred to as plaque — including fats, cholesterol, and calcium — may accumulate in these blood vessels. A condition called atherosclerosis occurs when the buildup of plaque causes the arteries to narrow and obstructs overall blood flow throughout the body. It is a leading factor in the development of coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease.

Atherosclerosis, Explained

Many of the key risk factors of atherosclerosis can be managed, and there are effective treatment options that can prevent the condition from worsening. Here’s what to know about causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

Atherosclerosis involves slow, progressive changes to the structure of your blood vessels. These changes typically intensify with age. As plaque accumulates, the walls of your arteries become thicker. This gradually narrows the channel within the artery through which blood flows, reducing the amount of oxygen and other nutrients that the rest of your body receives. In some cases, pieces of plaque can break off into the bloodstream and lead to the development of a blood clot.

There are arteries in nearly every part of the body, and three main types of arteries: elastic arteries, muscular arteries, and arterioles.

Elastic arteries come out of the heart and contain more elastic tissue than other types of arteries. Their flexibility allows them to receive blood at high pressure. Examples include the pulmonary artery and aorta.

Muscular arteries have less elastic tissue and more smooth muscle fiber, which allows them to expand and contract to control the flow of blood. Examples include the coronary and femoral arteries.

Arterioles are smaller vessels that branch out from the arteries and help distribute blood into microscopic capillaries.

Atherosclerosis is not limited to a certain area or type of artery. Plaque may develop in arteries in the heart, brain, pelvis, legs, arms, or kidneys. The type of artery affected in atherosclerosis can impact an individual’s symptoms, along with their risk for related health complications.

Different health conditions may arise depending on where plaque accumulates.

Coronary artery disease occurs when plaque accumulates in the arteries in or leading to the heart.

Angina, a type of chest pain, can also arise from plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries. It results from decreased blood flow to the heart muscle.

Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque accumulates in the neck arteries that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the brain.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when plaque accumulates in the arteries in the arms and legs.

Kidney disease occurs when plaque accumulates in the renal arteries, which transport oxygen-rich blood to your kidneys.

In addition to the conditions above, extensive plaque accumulation can lead to other health complications, including heart failure, a heart attack, an abnormal heart rhythm, a stroke, and an aneurysm. Treatment can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis and prevent more serious complications.

Many factors play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, including the following.

Atherosclerosis is among the more common aging-related health issues. Your heart and blood vessels have to work harder as you age. These changes can stiffen the arteries, which makes it easier for plaque to accumulate in them.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s produced naturally by the liver and also found in certain foods. It isn’t inherently bad — your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to produce cell membranes, hormones, and nutrients. However, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) can accumulate in the walls of your arteries and turn into plaque, factoring into a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke. (Conversely, a healthy level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol can potentially lower your risk for heart disease.)

Smoking damages your blood vessels and accelerates the buildup of plaque. It is a leading risk factor for peripheral artery disease. 80% of those with PAD are current or former smokers. Smoking is also associated with plaque accumulation in the aorta — the main artery of the body —  and in the coronary arteries.

High blood pressure strains and damages your coronary arteries, causing them to gradually narrow as plaque accumulates.

You may have a greater risk for atherosclerosis if you have diabetes or a family history of atherosclerosis. Physical inactivity and obesity also play a role.

Atherosclerosis symptoms typically do not appear until an artery has become severely narrow or clogged, to the point where blood flow is affected. There often aren’t noticeable symptoms of mild atherosclerosis. Symptoms of moderate to severe cases vary by the affected artery.

Atherosclerosis in coronary arteries: chest pain or pressure

Atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your brain: sudden numbness or weakness in arms or legs, difficulty speaking, confusion, or drooping facial muscles

Atherosclerosis in the arteries in your arms and legs: pain in your legs while walking or decreased pressure the affected limb

Atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your kidneys: high blood pressure or weakened kidney function

If you have any concerns about potential symptoms of atherosclerosis, contact your doctor as soon as possible for an evaluation.

Atherosclerosis cannot be reversed, but it is treatable. A heart-healthy lifestyle and medications can help slow the accumulation of plaque and prevent the condition from worsening.

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, planning a heart-healthy diet, and exercising more frequently are often a first step in treating mild atherosclerosis. The American Heart Association suggests aiming for about 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. Building these healthy habits early on can also help prevent atherosclerosis from developing to begin with.

Your doctor may also recommend medications to prevent atherosclerosis from progressing further. The following medications are commonly used to treat atherosclerosis.

Statins such as atorvastatin and simvastatin act on the liver to prevent LDL cholesterol from forming and limit the overall amount of cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream.

Fibrates such as fenofibrate and gemfibrozil can raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.

Niacin is a B vitamin that reduces the liver’s production of blood fats and can lower LDL cholesterol.

For more on cholesterol-lowering medications, read How to Manage High Cholesterol: Diet, Medications, and More.

Beta blockers such as metoprolol and carvedilol cause the heart to beat more slowly and less forcefully, lowering your blood pressure.

Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine and diltiazem prevent calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, which opens up narrowed blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril and benazepril block production of a hormone called angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to narrow. This helps constricted blood vessels expand so that more blood can flow through.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan and valsartan function similarly to ACE inhibitors and protect blood vessels from angiotensin II.

For more on blood pressure medications, read Common Types of Blood Pressure Medications.

Antiplatelet medications such as aspirin and clopidogrel may be prescribed to reduce your risk of blood clots.

Surgery may be necessary to treat severe cases of atherosclerosis, or if there is risk of serious damage to your muscle or skin tissue.

At Alto, we make it as simple as possible to manage your risk for chronic health conditions and to stay on top of your cholesterol-lowering or blood pressure medications. 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.

Many of us are familiar with the disappointment of a failed New Year’s resolution. Only 35% of Americans who made one in 2020 kept at it until the end of the year, and a study from 2015 found that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February.

The Science of Habit-Forming

Since healthy lifestyle choices are a key part of preventing or managing many chronic conditions, it’s important to continue working toward your health and wellness goals, no matter how frustrating it may feel. And while giving up old habits or cultivating new ones is never easy, you have more control over this process than it may seem.

Habits don’t start from nothing. They are a three-part psychological process of triggers, actions, and rewards, often referred to as the habit loop. This process can unfold passively, as if you’re on autopilot when engaging in many familiar behaviors. But fortunately for those with new habit goals, the habit loop can also be a more intentional rewiring of your brain to turn aspirations into lasting change. Here’s how.

As humans, we’re wired to search for feel-good experiences (and quick hits of dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical). Habits are born when the brain recognizes a connection between action and reward. It stores this information in a region of the brain called the basal ganglia. Unlike the prefrontal cortex, the area of your brain that makes conscious decisions, what happens in the basal ganglia is largely beyond your conscious control. That’s why it can be so challenging to break an old habit: sometimes you don’t even realize you’re doing it.

Cue — a stimulus, like a certain location, smell, person, or emotional state, sends the brain into autopilot and motivates you to act.

Action — you then perform a repeated behavior associated with the cue.

Reward — you experience a sense of pleasure or relief as a result of the action, reinforcing the link between cue and action (and perpetuating the habit loop).

It’s easy to see how unhealthy behaviors might emerge from this cycle, but with some effort, the habit loop can result in healthy changes, too. You can replace a bad habit with something more positive, like reading a book, going for a walk, or meditating instead of smoking or overdoing screen time. Or you can use this knowledge of how the brain works to develop a new habit without giving anything up. Either way, you’re more likely to find success if you connect a positive habit with an immediate reward, like linking physical activity with your favorite song or podcast.

In addition to considering the connection between your default behaviors and rewards, the following tactics can set you up for success as you commit to your physical and mental well-being. 

Start small and aim for incremental progress

It’s admirable to have big ambitions for your fitness routine, but it often takes time to build up your strength. Sometimes the disappointment of not arriving at a goal quickly enough is what causes people to set down their goals and resolutions altogether. Many health experts suggest starting with a small and specific action rather than the end state. Rather than focusing on running a half marathon, try to run a little more than you did the day before. The same principle applies to other habits like meditating or reading instead of social media scrolling.

At the same time, taking it slow doesn’t mean being inconsistent. Studies show that it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to form a new habit, and the best way to establish a routine is to actually do it. If your goal is to be more physically active, try doing a small, gentle exercise every day — a certain number of jumping jacks or push-ups, or a quick walk — and building up from there once you’ve got a foundation in place.

Since we’re all creatures of habit, there are probably many patterns in your day that can help you cultivate your new routine. For instance, try meditating after your morning cup of coffee, or going for a walk after your lunch break.

This approach is referred to as habit stacking, and it uses our tendency towards autopilot — and the habit loop fundamentals — to our advantage. Your new habit will quickly become linked to what the brain already knows, increasing your chances of success.

While change is never easy, you can make it easier by removing the obstacles that stand between you and your health goals. So rather than trying to muster up more will power, add a visual cue to your new routine, or remove a preparation step. This could mean packing your bag for your morning workout and leaving it by the door before going to bed, choosing an exercise you can easily do from home, or putting heart-healthy snacks in a visible spot on your kitchen counter. Whatever you’re trying to achieve, there’s probably a way to minimize the time and effort it requires.

Let Alto support your health and wellness

At Alto, we believe that staying on top of your health should be as simple as possible, and we’re here to support you with exceptional pharmacy care all year long. We offer free, same-day delivery and medication management tools like reminders and auto refills in our mobile app.

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

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.

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.

Traveling with any type of medication requires advanced planning. For those with diabetes, it’s even more imperative to prepare, as there are additional factors to consider like insulin temperature control and TSA screening of diabetes supplies and equipment. Use the suggestions below to make sure you have everything you need to manage your diabetes while away from home.
Consulting your doctor

Traveling With Diabetes: How to Prepare

Traveling with any type of medication requires advanced planning. For those with diabetes, it’s even more imperative to prepare, as there are additional factors to consider like insulin temperature control and TSA screening of diabetes supplies and equipment. Use the suggestions below to make sure you have everything you need to manage your diabetes while away from home.

Schedule an appointment with your diabetes care provider before your trip to make a plan for diabetes management during your travels. Be sure to cover the following:

How will planned activities impact your care needs?

What is the recommended frequency of blood sugar monitoring?

How might changing time zones impact the timing of your insulin dosage? 

Are there any recommended vaccines for your trip?

Keep in mind that eating and physical activity levels can shift during travel — sometimes unexpectedly — so it’s important to prepare for changes in your blood glucose levels.

Travel doesn’t always go as planned, so it’s important to have extra diabetes supplies and medication on hand. A good rule of thumb is to pack twice as many supplies as you think you’ll need and to bring additional paper prescriptions for insulin or other diabetes medications.

If traveling internationally, be mindful that prescription laws vary by country. It’s a good idea to contact the U.S. embassy of the country you’re visiting for more details. Some countries may only allow a 30-day supply for certain medications and/or require you to carry an official prescription or additional information from your doctor with you.

In addition, keep your health insurance card on you throughout the duration of your travels, and review your policy for travel-related details, including whether your destination is included in your provider network.

Here’s a list of potential diabetes medications and supplies to pack. Depending on your diabetes treatment plan, some may not be relevant for you. If you’re unsure what to bring — or how much to bring — ask your diabetes care team.

Enough insulin and syringes for your trip, plus extra

Enough oral medications for your trip, plus extra

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