What to have ready for the call.
Note when symptoms began, what the discomfort feels like, possible food or lying-down triggers, how often it occurs, whether it is changing, any swallowing concerns, current medicines, and relevant health history.
Book your visit now for an offered phone slot, complete registration there, and follow Ava’s appointment status and instructions. The clinician reviews the concern. Diagnosis, prescriptions, referrals, laboratory requisitions, documents, payment, and next steps depend on that review; another setting may be recommended.
When an examination, testing, or another setting may be needed.
This guide cannot decide whether it is safe to wait or which care setting is right for an individual concern. Some concerns need an in-person examination, testing, or another setting. If you are unsure where to go, contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting for individual guidance. Use prompt in-person care if you are concerned about worsening symptoms.
Know when not to wait.
Call 911 for chest pressure or pain with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or upper abdomen. Seek prompt medical assessment for vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, swallowing concerns, or unexplained weight loss.
Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or may be an emergency, use emergency services or immediate in-person care instead of waiting for a phone appointment.
Common questions about heartburn and acid reflux.
Can I ask an online doctor about heartburn or reflux in Alberta?
For a concern, a phone appointment booked on Ava lets a clinician review the symptoms and decide whether a virtual conversation or another care setting may fit. It does not diagnose GERD, determine the cause of chest discomfort, or guarantee a virtual visit.
What should I prepare for heartburn or reflux symptoms?
A symptom timeline, what the discomfort feels like, possible triggers, changes over time, swallowing concerns, medicines, and relevant health history can help a clinician review the concern.
Can a guide tell whether chest discomfort is heartburn?
No. Chest and upper-abdominal symptoms can have different causes. Possible heart-attack symptoms or another emergency need immediate assessment rather than a callback request.
Where can I find official Alberta heartburn or indigestion information?
MyHealth Alberta provides current public information about GERD and indigestion. These resources do not diagnose the cause of an individual symptom pattern, determine whether chest discomfort is heartburn, or replace appropriate clinical assessment.
When should I not assume chest discomfort is heartburn or reflux?
Chest discomfort can have different causes. Call 911 for chest pressure or pain with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or upper abdomen. Seek prompt medical assessment for vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or another concerning change rather than waiting for a request.
Non-emergency phone appointment
Book your visit now.
For people physically in Alberta with a valid Alberta Health Care card. Book your visit now and select an offered phone appointment slot. Ava shows published slots for today or upcoming days when offered; this guide does not promise availability or a turnaround time. If Ava does not offer a suitable slot, check its published upcoming slots or use appropriate in-person care. If your concern cannot wait, use appropriate in-person care; call 911 for a possible emergency.