Heart Telemedicine

Video visits through your UPMC patient portal make it easier to access expert heart care at UPMC and get treatment, whether you live in Pittsburgh or miles away.

About Tele-Cardiology

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute offers video visits for both new and returning cardiology patients.

To make the most of your time with the doctor, be sure you have:

• A scheduled video visit.
• A strong wi-fi connection.
• A quiet and private space.
• Good lighting.
• A list of questions, current medications, and data from wearable devices.
• Your health history.

During the visit, your cardiologist may:

• Ask you about or assess any new symptoms.
• Discuss results from your PCP or specialist.
• Provide pre-op consults to help you get ready for heart surgery.
• Offer post-op consults to manage your health after surgery.
• Talk to you about ways to prevent heart disease and provide guidance on lifestyle changes.
• Suggest in-person physical exams and testing needed for diagnosis or to improve care.

After the visit, you can access an after-visit summary detailing any notes or updates to your care via your patient portal.

Remote consults for heart disease prevention

Remote heart services aren't just for current UPMC patients or people with an existing illness.

Video visits are also for new patients who may have a family history of heart disease or who want to learn ways to prevent it.

Benefits of Heart Telemedicine

Telemedicine directly connects you with a UPMC heart expert and offers other values such as:

• Access to heart specialists from anywhere.
• Helping rural hospitals through remote care.

Heart doctors in Pittsburgh can consult in clinics anywhere to interpret test results and provide guidance on future care.

Who Can Schedule a Heart Video Visit?

Most people can access — and benefit from — video visits. If both you and the physician feel comfortable with video visits, telemedicine can be the first step in evaluating changes in health.

Heart telemedicine is for people:

• With a family history of heart disease, looking for lifestyle advice to prevent it.
• Getting ready for heart surgery or healing after.
• Who need more details about test results.
• Who want information on new programs.

Your doctor will want to see you in person if you have both heart disease and lung disease. Or if you have complex heart failure.

You may need an exam if you have certain symptoms, combined with a complex medical condition.

To learn more about what to expect during your video visit, click here. 

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.