by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Pain is a distressing, uncomfortable feeling. It’s a signal from your nervous system that something negative is affecting your body — and it’s a highly individualized experience.
Pain often signals that something might be wrong, but it can be tempting to brush off mild or intermittent pain because you might think, “it’s not that bad,” or “it’s probably nothing.”
However, acknowledging your pain is an important part of taking care of your health. Chest pain in particular is never normal, no matter how mild. It can take many forms, and it could indicate any number of health conditions from acid reflux to coronary artery disease.
If you have chest pain, consider scheduling a cardiology appointment to have your heart health checked out. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute offer comprehensive exams to diagnose chest pain.
Pain is a signal that something isn’t right
The primary purpose of pain is to act as a warning signal. When your body is in distress, pain signals in your nervous system alert your brain about the issue, so you can stop whatever it is that’s harming you.
For example, pain from touching a hot stove tells you to move your hand. But when the pain isn’t related to a physical injury, it’s not always so easy to pinpoint.
Everyone has a unique pain tolerance, and different health conditions cause varying types of pain. The severity of your pain doesn’t always indicate the severity of your condition, so it’s possible to have a more serious health issue that causes little or no pain.
If you notice any type of chest pain as you go through life, you shouldn’t ignore it. Dr. Patel and our team specialize in diagnosing chest pain, and we can help you learn to recognize the signs of serious problems.
Common types of chest pain
Many people immediately think of a heart attack when they think of chest pain. While it’s true that heart attacks do cause pain, there are lots of other types of chest pain too.
Identifying your pain is the first step to seeking care. Chest pain can feel like a dull ache or a sharp pain, and may be accompanied by other symptoms like:
Shortness of breath
Pain with deep breaths or coughs
Pain that comes and goes
Chest tightness
Pain that radiates to the neck, shoulders, or arms
Nausea
Lightheadedness
If you feel chest pain, pay attention to its duration, location, and intensity. These details can help your care team identify what’s causing your discomfort.
When to go to the doctor for chest pain
Remember that chest pain is never normal. Any type of chest pain should be examined by a doctor, but the type of pain you’re experiencing may indicate the type of care you need.
A heart attack or other medical emergencies, like a pulmonary embolism, require immediate medical care. If you experience chest pain and symptoms like difficulty breathing or nausea and vomiting, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Mild or short-lived bouts of chest pain without any other symptoms can generally wait for you to schedule a routine heart exam. Dr. Patel and our team are trained to identify cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
We can diagnose heart conditions with a series of tests, such as echocardiograms and stress tests. Once we’ve found the cause of your discomfort, we offer a range of heart care treatments to reduce your symptoms and improve your well-being.
Everyone experiences pain now and then, but protecting your health starts by recognizing when that pain should be checked out by a doctor. To schedule an appointment for chest pain, contact NJ Cardiovascular Institute or book online now.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Cholesterol is a naturally-occurring substance found in your blood. It plays an important role in cell building and hormone production, but cholesterol levels that get too high can start doing more harm than good.
About 2 in 5 American adults have high cholesterol. It’s a leading risk factor for heart disease, because it causes fatty buildup in your blood vessels, restricts blood flow, and makes your heart work harder.
Many people know that high cholesterol poses a risk to heart and vascular health. Unfortunately, high cholesterol can also have whole-body health impacts, from increased risk of stroke to numbness in the legs.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute take a comprehensive approach to heart care and cholesterol management. We work with patients to educate them on the impacts of high cholesterol and how they can protect and improve their health.
Here are a few lesser-known impacts of high cholesterol.
1. Increased risk of stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted. If you have high cholesterol, the blood vessels in your brain can narrow along with vessels in the rest of your body.
A stroke can happen when a blood clot blocks blood flow or a narrowed artery significantly reduces blood flow. Signs of a stroke include sudden weakness, speech difficulty, vision changes, and dizziness. In the event of a stroke, it’s extremely important to seek immediate medical care to prevent severe complications or death.
2. Increased risk of gallstones
Cholesterol is an essential element of bile, a digestive substance that helps your body break down dietary fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins. When you have high blood cholesterol levels, the cholesterol content in bile increases too.
This extra cholesterol, along with calcium, salt, and other minerals, can crystalize and harden into gallstones. Gallstones are hard deposits found in your gallbladder, and they can be very painful.
3. Increased risk of leg pain and numbness
Your legs are quite far from your heart, but they’re also at risk of complications from high cholesterol. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a complication that can develop when the arteries in your legs get too narrow due to buildup from high cholesterol levels.
PAD can cause numbness and tingling in your legs or feet. Loss of sensation can increase your risk of ulcers and other slow-healing wounds. Another common symptom of PAD is leg pain that feels like muscle cramping, particularly with physical activity.
Undiagnosed and untreated high cholesterol can have a serious impact on your health. The good news is that you have options when it comes to managing your high cholesterol.
Dr. Patel and our team can recommend lifestyle changes, including nutrition and exercise guidance, to lower cholesterol levels naturally. Cholesterol medication can also be an effective option for many people.
Have you had your cholesterol checked lately? Schedule a consultation at NJ Cardiovascular Institute to find out more about improving your cholesterol levels, cardiovascular health, and whole-body wellness. Contact us over the phone or book an appointment online today.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Maybe you’ve noticed chest pain that wasn’t there before. Maybe you felt an irregular heartbeat. Or maybe, you’re worried that your lifestyle puts you at risk of developing heart disease, a condition affecting nearly 50% of American adults.
Whatever your concern, your heart health matters — and you deserve to find answers. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute provide comprehensive diagnostics and care for common heart conditions in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey.
Diagnostic testing evaluates your heart health, giving Dr. Patel the information he needs to reach a diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan. So if you have concerns about your heart health, here’s what you need to know about diagnostic heart tests.
Common heart tests and how they work
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout your body. Any issues within your heart muscles, its valves, or the arteries in your body can limit your heart function and put your health at risk.
As a cardiac specialist, Dr. Patel performs a variety of diagnostic tests to evaluate your heart function and identify heart conditions so you can get the treatment you need.
The most common diagnostic tests are:
Ankle brachial index (ABI)
Ankle brachial index tests compare the differences in blood pressure between your upper and lower limbs. The test involves measuring your blood pressure at your ankle and in your arm. Dr. Patel uses ABI testing to diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD) in your legs.
Echocardiogram
Echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound that creates images of your heart using noninvasive soundwaves. During an echocardiogram, Dr. Patel can see your heart beating and watch blood flow through your heart.
We may order an echocardiogram to evaluate how well your heart muscle and valves function or to identify possible causes of a heart murmur.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
An electrocardiogram is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical signals in your heart. Dr. Patel uses an EKG to determine if your heart is beating too fast or too slow, and to diagnose changes in your heart’s rhythm.
Holter monitor
A Holter monitor performs ongoing EKG testing. You wear the portable device for a day or more, and it records your heart’s electrical activities. Because it collects data over a longer period of time, a Holter monitor can detect irregular heartbeats that may not show up during an in-office EKG test.
Medical imaging
A handful of medical imaging technologies can provide valuable diagnostic information about your heart health. Dr. Patel may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a CT scan, or X-rays to get a more detailed look at your heart. Both cardiac calcium scoring and pulse volume recording (PVR) tests rely on diagnostic imaging.
Stress test
A stress test, or exercise test, measures how hard your heart works when you’re active. Dr. Patel places electrodes on your skin while you walk, run, or bike in the office, and he monitors your heart activity for a set period of time. Stress tests can help him diagnose conditions like irregular heartbeat and coronary artery disease.
What to do if you have heart concerns
If you’re worried about your heart health, schedule an appointment with a cardiac specialist like Dr. Patel. He understands chest pain and common heart symptoms, and our team is dedicated to helping you find answers.
We review your symptoms and perform a physical exam. Based on our findings, we recommend additional testing as needed to confirm your diagnosis.
If you have a chronic heart condition like heart disease, active management is important. Our Heart Smart Program includes routine diagnostic testing to monitor any changes in your heart health, so we can adjust your treatment plan.
Diagnostic testing is the first step to a healthier heart. To find out more about our diagnostic services, call the NJ Cardiovascular Institute office nearest you or send our team a message online.
by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Of every 1,000 births in the United States, about nine babies are born with congenital heart defects. A congenital heart defect is a problem that originated when a baby’s heart was developing in the womb, and it’s the most common birth defect in the country.
A baby’s heart is fully developed by the 8th week of pregnancy, and congenital heart defects form some time between conception and week 8. Most of the time, there’s no clear cause for congenital heart defects — but they can have a significant impact on a child’s health.
As a leading cardiologist, Kunal Patel, MD, specializes in heart care for people of all ages at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, with offices in Secaucus, Paramus, Lakewood, and Newark, New Jersey. If you recently found out your child has a heart defect, learn more about what to do next.
Understand the types of congenital heart defects
A congenital heart defect can occur when your baby’s heart doesn’t develop exactly like it should. There are at least 18 different types of congenital heart conditions, some more severe than others.
Every baby is unique, and some have a combination of conditions. If your baby is diagnosed with a heart defect, it’s important to ask questions and understand exactly what their diagnosis means.
The types of congenital heart defects can be grouped into three main categories.
The first category includes conditions that cause too much blood to flow through your baby’s lungs. These conditions can cause lung and respiratory stress, because oxygen-rich blood circulates through the lungs without traveling to other parts of the body.
Another category includes various heart conditions that cause too little blood to flow to the lungs. With this type of heart defect, the baby’s blood is oxygen-poor and their body doesn’t get enough oxygen.
The third main category of congenital heart defects includes conditions that cause too little blood to travel throughout the body. The baby’s heart may not be strong enough to pump blood to the rest of their body.
Signs of heart defects in babies
Some types of heart defects can be identified before the baby is born, using a fetal echocardiogram. However, many babies are diagnosed with heart defects after they’re born and they begin exhibiting symptoms of heart problems.
Signs of a congenital heart defect may include:
Blue-tinted lips, fingernails, or toenails
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Excessive sleepiness, particularly when feeding
Not every type of congenital heart defect causes symptoms, so it’s important to talk with your child’s pediatrician about their risk.
Care for your child and their heart defect
Learning that your child has a heart defect can be scary, but today’s medical technology means that you have treatment options available to you. An estimated three in four babies born with heart defects don’t need surgery or other medical procedures during their first year of life.
If your baby is diagnosed with a critical congenital heart defect, they may need surgery or another procedure to improve the way their heart functions. Your child’s pediatrician and their health care team will talk with you about your options for care.
Some children may need one or more surgeries to repair the structure and function of their hearts. Surgery isn’t always necessary, as some procedures can be done via a minimally invasive procedure called cardiac catheterization.
The goal of surgery and other treatments is to improve your child’s heart function. However, many congenital heart defects can’t be cured. Your child can live a long, healthy life, but they may need ongoing heart care with a trained cardiologist like Dr. Patel.
Dr. Patel provides personalized heart care for our patients at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. Schedule a consultation to learn more and meet our team. Call the office nearest you or book online now.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
More than 30 million American adults have heart disease. The term “heart disease” includes conditions that affect blood vessels, heart valves, heart rhythms, and your heart muscle itself.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the United States, but every type can have serious impacts on your health. In fact, nearly 660,000 people in the US die from heart disease every year, and it’s the leading cause of death in the country.
Receiving a heart disease diagnosis is serious. There’s no cure for it, and having heart disease increases your risk of complications like heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
The good news? There’s still a lot you can do to improve your health, even after you’re diagnosed with heart disease. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute offer comprehensive heart disease care with our Heart Smart Program.
When you’re living with heart disease, your daily habits can make a big difference for your health. Here are the lifestyle changes to start making for better heart health.
Get regular exercise
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. Regular exercise helps your heart get stronger. It can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and over time, it contributes to lower risk of heart disease complications.
Your workouts don’t have to be intense for you to get the heart-health benefits. Strive for at least 30 minutes of movement most days a week. Try a variety of activities, like walking, biking, or swimming, to see what you enjoy the most.
Eat a healthy diet
Did you know the food you eat affects your heart health? It’s true! When you have heart disease, eating a heart-healthy diet can lower your risk of complications.
We recommend eating a diet that’s low fat and low sodium. That means eating mostly fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, like chicken and fish. Limit your consumption of red meats, and steer totally clear of processed foods that are high in trans fats.
Limit your alcohol intake or consider avoiding alcoholic beverages completely. Don’t start smoking, and if you do smoke, talk to our team about ways to quit.
Partner with your cardiology care team
Taking a proactive approach to your health care is important if you’re living with heart disease. Our Heart Smart Program combines diagnostic tests, routine screenings, checkups, and healthy lifestyle programs to help you manage your heart disease and lower your risk of complications.
We teach you how to eat a heart-healthy diet, and we offer exercise regimen planning. Through diet and exercise coordination, we can help you reach a healthy weight and maintain it.
You should know your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, and we help you take steps to keep them in healthy ranges.
We also work with you to manage other chronic conditions that can increase your risk of heart disease, including:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Maintaining regular cardiology appointments is one of the best ways to ensure you’re enjoying your best possible health when you have heart disease. Dr. Patel and our team may prescribe medication and a range of other treatments, depending on the type of heart disease you have.
Recently diagnosed with heart disease and not sure where to start? We’re here for you. Schedule your first appointment online or call the NJ Cardiovascular Institute location nearest you today.
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