by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Varicose veins are large, twisted veins just below the surface of your skin. They’re an extremely common vascular problem, affecting an estimated 23% of American adults.
The top complaint regarding varicose veins is that they’re unsightly or embarrassing, but symptoms can go beyond being simply cosmetic. Varicose veins can cause swelling, muscle cramps, and itchy skin.
Whether you’re bothered by pain or embarrassment, our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute can help. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team of specialists offer diagnostics and treatment for varicose veins.
To some extent, you can’t control whether or not you’ll develop varicose veins or how severe they’ll be. But there are some risk factors that you can change. Dr. Patel shares a few common factors that affect varicose veins.
Body weight
Being overweight or obese can impact your health in a variety of ways. Extra body fat makes your muscles, organs, and veins work harder, and carrying extra weight could contribute to varicose veins.
Obesity puts extra pressure on your abdomen and your legs. Increased blood pressure increases your risk of vein damage, because there’s a greater chance of congestion within veins as blood travels back to your heart.
Activity level and lifestyle
Living a sedentary lifestyle may increase your risk of developing varicose veins and make existing varicose veins worse. Spending long periods of time sitting makes your vascular system work harder to return blood to your heart.
It’s a common misconception that sitting with your legs crossed increases your risk of varicose veins. Crossing your legs won’t cause the condition on its own, but it can make existing varicose veins or other vascular problems worse.
On the other hand, spending most of the day standing is hard on veins, too. Since your legs are so far from your heart, veins are put under increased stress when you stand in one place for too long.
Pregnancy
Like carrying extra weight or spending long hours on your feet, being pregnant puts increased strain on your vascular system. When you’re pregnant, the amount of blood in your body naturally increases, and this can enlarge your veins and increase your blood pressure.
Pregnancy, increased blood volume, and hormones all contribute to varicose veins, making it a common issue that many expecting mothers face. The good news is that varicose veins that develop during pregnancy often improve on their own a few months after your baby is born.
Other varicose vein risk factors
You can’t control every risk factor for varicose veins. Gender, age, and genetics all play a role in whether or not you’ll develop them. For example, women are at least two times more likely than men to have varicose veins.
For women and men alike, risk increases with age because veins naturally weaken over the years. People with a family history of varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may be at increased risk for developing varicose veins themselves.
Schedule a varicose vein evaluation at NJ Cardiovascular Institute to find out what you can do to keep your varicose veins from getting worse. Call the office nearest you in either Secaucus or Newark, New Jersey, or book an appointment online.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout your body and fueling your muscles, organs, and tissues with oxygen. Comprised of muscle tissue with four chambers and valves, your heart also relies on its internal electrical system and a complex system of blood vessels. Problems with any part of your heart could put your life at risk.
“Heart disease” is a broad term used to describe a variety of different diseases that affect your heart, and it's the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease, but it’s not the only heart problem that poses health risks.
Your heart health is at the center of your overall well-being. At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, Kunal Patel, MD, and our cardiac specialists are proud to offer the latest in diagnostic technology and heart care to keep you enjoying life for years to come.
Of all the diagnostic tools available to doctors, the echocardiogram is a popular and effective test to evaluate heart health. It’s completely noninvasive, and it gives us an inside look at how well your heart functions so we can recommend the right care for you.
An echocardiogram is a powerful diagnostic tool
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to create images of your heart. The test is noninvasive and painless, and it’s an essential diagnostic tool in heart care.
Dr. Patel may recommend an echocardiogram if he suspects you could have a heart problem. An echocardiogram allows us to evaluate the size and structure of your heart, and when paired with Doppler ultrasound, shows more information about how blood flows through your heart.
An echocardiogram can be used to help diagnose problems with valves or chambers, and to uncover the cause behind symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. It can also detect congenital heart defects.
How an echocardiogram works
At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we perform echocardiograms in the comfort of our office. In most cases, there’s nothing special you need to do to prepare for your test.
An echocardiogram takes about 40 minutes from start to finish. You remove your shirt and lie down on the exam table, where our team prepares you for the test by attaching electrodes to your chest.
We apply a gel to your chest and guide the ultrasound wand over your skin. The ultrasound technology sends sound waves into your chest that bounce off your internal organs and generate images of your heart in motion, sending them to a computer monitor. Our team views the images and uses our findings to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Using an echocardiogram in your routine care plan
Depending on the results of your diagnostic testing, our team works with you to create a heart care plan that meets your needs. If you have a heart problem, we may suggest enrolling in our Heart Smart Program, which is a comprehensive heart care program including medication management and lifestyle changes.
Once you start treatment for your heart condition, expect to have echocardiograms at regular intervals. There are no risks to standard echocardiogram testing, making it a great addition to your heart care plan.
Getting echocardiograms as part of your routine care gives us the ability to monitor your cardiac health and identify any changes. We may also use echocardiogram testing to evaluate how well your cardiac treatment is working. Seeing how your heart responds to treatment allows us to adjust your plan as necessary to help you achieve your best possible health.
We provide comprehensive, ongoing heart care at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. To learn more about what you can do to keep your heart healthy, schedule a consultation with our team. We have three offices in Secaucus, Paramus, and Newark, New Jersey. Call the office nearest you, send us a message, or book your visit online now.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease — and it’s the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It isn’t easy to recognize on its own, but partnering with a cardiologist can help you enjoy a longer, healthier life.
Early identification and personalized treatment are some of the best ways to avoid heart disease complications and improve your heart health, and the right care starts with comprehensive diagnostics.
Kunal Patel, MD and our team specialize in heart care at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. We offer stress testing and other diagnostic services to uncover heart problems and get you started on a treatment plan that meets your needs.
When your stress test is scheduled
A stress test is a safe and effective way to evaluate how well your heart functions when it’s working hard. It’s often used to assess possible causes behind symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.
If Dr. Patel and our team suspect you may have a heart condition, a stress test helps us reach a diagnosis. Stress testing can identify conditions like arrhythmias and coronary artery disease, and may even be used to evaluate how well treatment is working.
Be sure to tell us about any medical conditions that could affect your ability to participate in a stress test, such as arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Let us know if you have diabetes, because we may need to monitor your blood glucose during the test.
For accurate results, you may need to stop taking certain medications prior to your stress test. Review all the medications you take with Dr. Patel to find out if you should modify your medication schedule.
On the day of your stress test
Follow our team’s guidelines for preparation as the day of your stress test gets closer. If you’ve been instructed to stop taking certain medications for a period of time before your test, remember to do so.
Dr. Patel may request that you avoid eating for at least three to four hours before your stress test. You may also need to avoid caffeinated beverages and smoking on the day of your test.
You’ll be on a treadmill or stationary bike for up to 15 minutes during your test, so it’s important to wear comfortable clothing and shoes to your appointment. Lightweight, breathable clothes and athletic sneakers are a good choice.
What to expect during your stress test
Most stress test appointments last about an hour, including time to prepare you for the test. When you arrive, we check your vital signs and listen to your heart and lungs. If you’ve had any chest pain leading up to the test, let our team know.
We attach electrodes to your skin so they can monitor your heart function as you exercise. Then you walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike until your heart rate reaches a set target.
Dr. Patel and our team record and review your results. Once your test is complete, we discuss your results with you and use the information to develop a personalized heart health plan for you.
Stress testing is a simple, effective way to better understand your heart health. Find out more by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Patel and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. To make an appointment, contact us through the online booking tool or call one of our offices in Secaucus, Newark, or Paramus, New Jersey.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Do you have twisted, puffy, discolored veins on your legs or feet? You’re not alone — almost 25% of American adults have varicose veins — but you don’t have to live with them.
Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular conditions, and they form when the valves inside veins malfunction and become less efficient at sending blood back to your heart. Blood gets trapped in your veins and pools, creating raised, enlarged veins that are visible under the surface of your skin.
These veins can be embarrassing, but they can also cause painful symptoms. If you’re bothered by varicose veins, schedule a vein assessment with Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. We offer ultrasound for diagnostic imaging as well as personalized treatment for people with varicose veins.
Preparing for your varicose vein assessment
Your varicose vein appointment starts with an exam. We look at your legs while you’re sitting or standing to locate visible varicose veins, and we talk with you about your symptoms.
For many people, varicose veins are primarily a cosmetic concern, but don’t hesitate to bring up any other symptoms you’re experiencing at your appointment.
Along with visible, unsightly veins, other possible symptoms include:
Feeling of heaviness in legs
Aching sensation in legs
Swelling
Burning or cramping pain
Pain with long periods of sitting
Pain with extended periods of standing
Itching near a vein
Skin discoloration around a vein
We review your symptoms and your medical history to determine the extent of your condition. Depending on the severity of your varicose veins and other symptoms, we might recommend additional diagnostic testing with ultrasound.
Getting an ultrasound for varicose veins
Ultrasound testing helps us confirm your varicose vein diagnosis and rule out other vascular disorders. Sometimes, symptoms like leg pain and heaviness are due to other vascular conditions, like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and ultrasound allows us to give you an accurate diagnosis.
A vascular ultrasound is a noninvasive test that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of tissues inside your body. You don’t have to do anything to prepare for the test, and we perform it right in the office.
We apply a gel to your legs or feet, wherever the varicose veins are located. The technician gently guides the ultrasound device over your varicose veins, and the test shows how the valves in your veins are working.
If additional testing is needed, we may perform a Doppler ultrasound to see blood flowing through your veins. Duplex ultrasound combines both regular and Doppler ultrasound to give our team a comprehensive look at your vein health.
You don’t have to live with varicose veins. Find out more about your condition with a diagnostic ultrasound at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, and get a treatment plan that’s right for you. Contact us while you’re online, or call the nearest office — in Newark, Secaucus, or Paramus, New Jersey — for a consultation.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Food is your body’s main source of fuel. The foods and drinks you consume every day contain calories and nutrients, which your body converts into energy that keeps you alive.
Eating a healthy diet is one of the most important elements of living a healthy life. Healthy foods contain essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that keep your body functioning at its best — so it’s no surprise that the food you eat directly impacts the health of your heart.
Healthy foods can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of heart disease and other heart problems. Unhealthy foods can have the opposite effect. But what constitutes a healthy diet? And which foods are most important for heart health?
It’s normal to have questions, but protecting your heart doesn’t have to be complicated. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute are proud to educate people of all ages about the benefits of heart-healthy eating.
Making simple changes in your diet can have a significant impact on your heart and your overall health. Here’s how it works.
Why your diet matters for heart health
The main food groups are fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy. Your body needs food from all these groups to function at its best, but some choices are healthier than others.
Processed foods, like fast food, packaged snacks, and commercial bakery products, are often high in saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and sodium, while offering little nutritional value.
Eating a lot of unhealthy foods increases cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. Over time, excess cholesterol builds up in your blood vessels, increasing your risk of cardiovascular conditions such as:
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Heart attack
Stroke
On the other hand, poultry, fish, grass-fed dairy and grass-fed lean beef, whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables are packed with healthy substances your body needs. These healthier options give your body fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients without unhealthy fats and excess sugar and sodium.
What to eat for better heart health
The connections between your diet and your heart health are clear. However, knowing which foods are best isn’t always easy. With our Heart Smart Program at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we’re here to help you learn.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are simple to add to your diet, and they offer lots of heart healthy benefits. Choose berries, like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for their fiber and antioxidants.
Leafy greens, like kale and spinach, are high in vitamin K, nitrates, and other important nutrients. Other heart-healthy veggies include beets, tomatoes, beans, and legumes.
Fatty fish
While many types of fat can hinder heart health, some types of fat are healthier than others. Unsaturated fat and omega-3 fats are two fats that can boost heart health.
Choose fatty fish like salmon and tuna, which have lots of heart-healthy omega-3 fats. A diet that includes omega-3s has been shown to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk of heart disease.
Whole grains
Whole grain foods contain every part of the grain, and they’re packed with fiber. Eating three or more servings of whole grains every day could lower your risk of heart disease by about 22%.
When you’re shopping, look for 100% whole wheat breads, brown rice, oats, and quinoa. Read labels carefully, and avoid products with refined grains or white flour.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts, including walnuts and almonds, are high in fiber and micronutrients. Eating nuts can help lower your risk of heart disease, because they’re linked to lower cholesterol.
Consider adding seeds to your diet too. Chia seeds, flax seeds, and hemp seeds also have fiber, omega-3 fats, and other nutrients to improve heart function and health.
Boosting heart health starts with the foods you eat every day. Want more tips about ways to eat a heart-healthy diet? Contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute.
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