by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
The holiday season is a time for joy, gratitude, and celebration. And it's also a time when many people tend to indulge in rich, decadent foods and let their usual healthy habits slide.
While it's perfectly okay to enjoy some holiday treats, don’t let the coming months put your heart health at risk. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute are here to help you find a sustainable approach to heart-healthy choices, no matter the season.
Here are a few of our favorite tips and strategies for making heart-smart decisions and still savoring the holiday season.
1. Plan your meals
Planning your holiday meals in advance can make it much easier to stick to heart-healthy choices when you’re gathered around the table. Start by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your menu so you’re getting essential nutrients and fiber, which help support heart health.
2. Choose heart-healthy ingredients and cooking methods
The way you prepare your holiday meals can have a big impact on heart health. Opt for cooking methods like baking, grilling, steaming, and roasting instead of frying or deep-frying. These methods use less oil and help preserve the nutritional value of the food.
Look for festive, heart-friendly recipes or modify traditional holiday recipes by using substitutions. Swap in healthy fats like olive oil or avocado oil. Choose whole grains over refined grains and opt for lean proteins like turkey or fish. When cooking at home, use herbs, spices, and citrus to add flavor without relying on excessive amounts of sugar or salt.
3. Enjoy alcohol mindfully
Alcohol can be part of holiday celebrations, but always remember to consume it responsibly. Sugary drinks and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to weight gain and negatively impact heart health. So limit your alcohol intake, and consider alternating alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic ones like sparkling water.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. Be aware of the potential interactions between alcohol and any medications you may be taking. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to consult with Dr. Patel and our team.
4. Prioritize physical activity
The holidays can mean a disruption in your usual routine, and it’s easy to start skipping workouts. Regular physical activity is a crucial component of heart health, so make sure your exercise habits don’t suffer this season.
Schedule time for your workouts, even if they're shorter than usual. Bundle up for a walk, engage in holiday-themed outdoor activities, or dance to your favorite holiday tunes. Regular exercise helps control your weight, lower cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease.
5. Manage stress
The holidays can be stressful, and stress can negatively impact your heart health. Integrate stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga into your days to help you stay calm and centered.
A well-rested body is better equipped to manage stress, so make quality sleep a priority, too. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to enjoy lower stress levels and enhanced overall well-being.
6. Don't skip your regular check-ups
Last but not least, don't neglect your regular check-ups. Routine cardiology care is essential for monitoring your heart health and catching any potential issues early.
At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, our Heart Smart Program is designed to help you protect and manage your heart health all year round. The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration without the temptation of unhealthy indulgence — and we’re here to help.
Learn more about lifestyle changes for heart health with an appointment at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. Call one of our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, or send us a message online today.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Staying healthy is a delicate balance of nutrition, exercise, lifestyle choices, and medical care. Physical activity alone can help maintain healthy blood pressure, improve your mood, promote healthy cholesterol levels, and improve blood circulation. However, if you’re keeping active to stay healthy, you may experience problems that make that harder to do, like chest pain.
There are a number of reasons you can experience pain in your chest during physical activity like cardio, and you should better understand why it can happen and what it means for your health. To that end, let’s explore the possible causes of chest pain, why it may occur during exercise, and how to prevent and manage the problem.
If you live in the Secaucus, Elizabeth, Paramus, or Lakewood, New Jersey, and you’re experiencing chest pain or other cardiovascular problems, Dr. Kunal Patel and our experienced medical staff at NJ Cardiovascular Institute can help.
Understanding chest pain
This is a broad term for different kinds of pain you can experience in your chest, ranging from a dull ache to a stabbing sensation.
Heart-related chest pain can be a crushing or burning feeling and can travel to different areas, such as the neck, jaw, or arms. It may also be accompanied by shortness of breath, cold sweats, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or accelerated heartbeat.
If the pain is not related to heart problems, however, you may have other symptoms, like a sour taste while eating, problems swallowing, or pain when you cough.
Reasons for chest pain during exercise
Pain in the chest can result from issues with different systems in your body, including the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and digestive systems.
Cardiovascular problems
During cardio exercise, you breathe faster. Your heart pumps faster and harder to get the oxygenated blood to your muscles. If you have chest pain while exercising, it could be a sign of a serious medical condition, so it’s always best to see a heart expert like Dr. Patel. He can examine you and do testing to determine if your pain is heart-related or a result of another condition.
Cardiovascular causes of chest pain may include coronary artery disease, heart attack, mitral valve prolapse, coronary artery dissection, myocarditis, or pericarditis.
Pulmonary problems
Lung conditions that may cause your chest to hurt include pleuritis, lung abscess, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, pneumothorax. Chest pain can also occur with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an umbrella term that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive asthma.
Digestive problems
Various problems in the digestive tract can also lead to chest pain, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal contraction disorders, peptic ulcers, hiatal hernias, pancreatitis, and gallbladder conditions.
Prevention and treatment
The best way to prevent chest pain depends on the root cause of the pain. Some basic steps you can take to prevent heart-related chest pain include eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, managing your blood pressure, and adjusting physical activities in accordance to doctor’s orders.
If you have another condition, such as asthma, prevention may include using your medications and inhalers as prescribed and avoiding any allergy triggers.
If you do have chest pain while exercising or at rest, the treatment depends on the underlying condition that is triggering the pain. For example, for heart-related chest pain called angina, prescription medications that relax the arteries may help ease the pain. Pain caused by GERD may improve with medication that reduces stomach acid.
If you’re having chest pain while you’re walking, biking, or doing other physical activities, don’t ignore it. To find out why your chest hurts and what we can do to help, make an appointment with Dr. Patel and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute today.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
February is about more than love notes, roses, and candy hearts — it’s also American Heart Month: a time dedicated to promoting awareness and education about ways to live a heart-healthy life.
Nearly half of all American adults are living with high blood pressure, also called hypertension. It’s extremely common, but it also demands to be taken seriously. High blood pressure poses severe risks to your cardiovascular health, and now’s the time to learn more.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in heart health, and we serve patients at our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey. And this month, we’re taking a closer look at the dangers of high blood pressure and what you can do to stay healthier.
High blood pressure: understanding the silent threat
When your heart pumps blood through your body, the blood puts pressure against the walls of your veins. A small amount of pressure is essential for blood to reach all the corners of your body, but a high blood pressure diagnosis means the pressure is consistently too high.
Elevated blood pressure is dangerous because it can damage your arteries, leading to a myriad of health problems. Unfortunately, high blood pressure rarely causes noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
In fact, high blood pressure is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it can cause serious damage before it's detected. Some of the dangers associated with high blood pressure include:
Heart attack and stroke
High blood pressure can make your arteries harder and thicker over time. This damage makes your heart work harder to pump blood and increases your risk of having a medical emergency like a heart attack or stroke.
Cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Persistent high blood pressure can contribute to conditions like coronary artery disease and heart failure, because the increased workload on your heart can weaken it over time.
Kidney damage
Your kidneys help regulate blood pressure by managing the balance of fluids in your body. Hypertension can damage the arteries around your kidneys, affecting their ability to function properly. This damage may lead to kidney failure or lead to the need for dialysis.
Vision impairment
The tiny blood vessels in your eyes are susceptible to damage from high blood pressure. This damage can result in vision problems or, in severe cases, lead to blindness. If you have high blood pressure, regular eye check-ups are important to monitor and address any potential issues.
Cognitive decline
Recent research has suggested a connection between high blood pressure and cognitive decline, including an increased risk of vascular dementia. The impact of hypertension on the blood vessels in your brain can hinder your ability to remember, learn, and think.
Managing high blood pressure
Left unchecked, high blood pressure poses a serious threat. But the good news is that it’s a manageable condition with the right care.
Dr. Patel and our team specialize in holistic heart care with our Heart Smart Program, and we take a multifaceted approach to blood pressure management. Depending on your unique health needs, we may recommend a combination of:
Eating a heart-healthy diet
Engaging in regular exercise
Managing your weight
Reducing stress
Taking blood pressure medication
Understanding the dangers of high blood pressure is the first step in taking control of your cardiovascular health. Learn more and take action with an appointment at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. Call the office nearest you or send us a message online today.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Are you scheduled for an exercise stress test? If you are, feeling anxious is entirely normal. The uncertainty of the procedure — coupled with concerns about your health — can leave you feeling on edge.
Fortunately, there’s no need to stress out about your upcoming stress test. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in stress testing, and we’re here to answer your questions. Let's dive into what you can expect during and after your stress test.
The purpose of exercise stress tests
A stress test is a diagnostic procedure used to assess how well your heart functions during physical activity. During the test, you'll be asked to walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bicycle while your heart function is monitored.
When you exercise, your heart works harder — and it’s easier to detect potential heart problems when your heart is working harder. We use stress tests to help diagnose heart conditions, coronary artery disease, irregular heart rhythms, and issues with blood flow to the heart muscle.
What to expect during your stress test
We do stress tests in our office. It’s a simple, noninvasive procedure, and here’s what happens.
Preparation
Before your stress test, we review your medical history and explain the procedure in detail. We give you specific instructions to prepare, which might include avoiding caffeine, avoiding eating, and making temporary modifications to your medications before the test.
On the day of your test, arrive wearing clothing and shoes that are comfortable for exercise. We listen to your heart and lungs, then get you set up for your stress test.
Monitoring
We place a blood pressure cuff on your arm and electrodes on your chest before you start your stress test. The electrodes monitor your heart's electrical activity through an electrocardiogram while the cuff monitors your blood pressure throughout the test.
Exercise
You start your stress test by walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at a gradual pace. We instruct you to gradually increase your intensity until you reach a target heart rate.
We monitor you closely throughout the entire test, but communication is essential. Tell us right away if you experience any discomfort or symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
What happens after your stress test
After you maintain your target heart rate for a period of time, your stress test is over. We remove the blood pressure cuff and electrodes, and you’re free to go about your day. There’s no downtime required after a stress test, but you might experience some fatigue or muscle soreness from the exercise.
Dr. Patel reviews the results of your stress test and discusses them with you. If your test results indicate normal heart function, it can provide reassurance and peace of mind regarding your heart health.
If your results highlight concerns about heart function, Dr. Patel may recommend further evaluation or treatment. Taking a proactive approach or even enrolling in our Heart Smart Program can help you manage heart conditions and improve your heart health.
It’s normal to be worried about what your stress test might uncover, but understanding the process and its purpose can help alleviate some of those feelings. Stress testing is a valuable tool to assess heart function, and our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Learn more with a consultation at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, with offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey. Call us or send a message online today.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. It’s essential for brain health, creating hormones, and building cells throughout the body. But having too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to some serious health problems, including heart disease.
About 71 million Americans have high cholesterol. And while there are lots of possible causes, one reason why it’s so common is that sneaky habits can contribute to high cholesterol levels without you realizing it.
Fortunately, treating high cholesterol starts with understanding it — and Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute are here to help. Here are four common habits that can elevate cholesterol levels. We explain why these habits can affect your heart health and what you can do about them.
1. Leading a sedentary lifestyle
Regular exercise is essential for a healthy heart. Physical activity naturally helps increase HDL (“good” cholesterol), and it stimulates enzymes that help remove LDL (“bad” cholesterol) from your bloodstream.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week. Even small amounts of physical activity can make a big difference in maintaining better heart health.
But if you don’t get regular exercise, you could be at higher risk of high cholesterol. A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to higher LDL levels, weight gain, poor circulation, and reduced efficiency in fat metabolism.
2. Eating (or drinking) too much sugar
While fatty foods often get the blame for raising cholesterol levels, sugar is a sneaky contributor, too. In fact, high intake of sugary foods and beverages can increase your blood triglyceride levels and decrease your (good) HDL levels, which raises your overall risk for having a heart attack.
Your liver converts excess sugar into triglycerides, which increases blood triglycerides and causes artery walls to stiffen, which contributes to heart disease. Extra triglycerides that your body doesn’t need for energy are stored as body fat, and having obesity contributes to cardiovascular disease, too.
Plus, processed sugars and refined carbohydrates can spike blood sugar levels and contribute to insulin resistance, which increase risk of heart disease.
3. Skipping breakfast
In an effort to cut calories or save time, you might think that skipping breakfast seems like a good idea. But even though it can contribute to weight loss, the truth is that this habit can negatively impact your cholesterol levels over time.
Skipping breakfast can trigger metabolic changes that increase cholesterol synthesis in your body. This study shows that people who regularly skip breakfast have higher total cholesterol levels. Plus, skipping breakfast may make you more likely to overeat later in the day or make unhealthy snack choices.
4. Ignoring stress
Chronic stress has a well-documented impact on your overall health, and that includes your cholesterol levels. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can increase cholesterol production in your liver.
Additionally, being stressed makes it easier to lean on unhealthy coping mechanisms. Habits like overeating, smoking, or drinking alcohol, can negatively affect cholesterol levels and your overall heart health, too.
What to do about high cholesterol
Understanding these sneaky habits is the first step toward better managing your cholesterol. And if you’re worried about your cholesterol levels, regular visits to a cardiologist can provide you with personalized advice and treatment plans to help you maintain a healthier heart.
Dr. Patel and our team conduct thorough evaluations, including blood tests to measure your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Once we understand your needs, we can recommend lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and medications if necessary to help you control your cholesterol levels.
We address both the obvious and hidden factors that influence cholesterol, and we’re here to help you take proactive steps to lower your risk of heart disease and improve your overall cardiovascular health.
A commitment to making healthier choices can have a big impact on your cholesterol levels and heart health, and now is a great time to get started. Call one of our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, or send us a message online today.
