Could You Be One of the Millions of Americans Who Has High Blood Pressure and Doesn’t Know It?

Many serious ailments come with warning signs like a lump or pain. High blood pressure, however, can often be a "silent killer" with no symptoms.

Here at the NJ Cardiovascular Institute in Secaucus and Newark, New Jersey, Dr. Kunal Patel and our highly trained team offer state-of-the-art treatment in our friendly relaxed offices. Whether you are suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, varicose veins, or other issues, we provide personalized care and a customized treatment plan to improve your health.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers that measure the force of the blood against the artery walls. The top (systolic) number measures the force when the heart is beating, and it’s the larger of the two numbers. The bottom (diastolic) number measures the pressure when the heart is relaxed between beats. Blood pressure is considered normal when the systolic number is less than 120 and the diastolic is lower than 80.

Symptoms and statistics

Most people don’t have any symptoms of high blood pressure. Others may experience general symptoms like headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds, which they often don't take seriously. It's not surprising, then, that approximately 11 million adults in the United States don’t know they have high blood pressure — and aren’t receiving treatment.

Risk factors

A number of risk factors can influence who develops high blood pressure. Aging increases the chances, with it being more common in men until their mid-60s, at which point women become more likely to see high numbers. It is also more common in people of African heritage. Genetics play a role, too.

Lifestyle choices can also affect your risk. Being overweight, having a sedentary lifestyle, using tobacco, and drinking too much alcohol can all play a role. A poor diet, including too much salt and too little potassium, can also contribute. Stress, as well as some chronic health ailments, can also increase your risk.

Diagnosis and treatment

Given high blood pressure can lead to everything from heart attacks, strokes, and aneurysms to heart failure, vision issues, dementia, and more, it's important to know your numbers and get treatment if they are high.

Blood pressure changes throughout the day and can also rise when you're at the doctor's office. Therefore, your reading will typically be taken two or three times at three or more separate appointments to make sure the numbers are accurate and consistent. It is measured in both arms, and your doctor may even ask you to take it at home for comparison.

If you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure, improving your lifestyle habits can help, including eating a heart-healthy diet that’s low in salt, exercising regularly, losing weight if necessary, and watching your alcohol intake. If healthier habits don't bring your numbers down low enough, medications can also be discussed.

If you're not sure of your blood pressure numbers or have any other cardiology issues, contact Dr. Patel today to make sure your heart stays in the best condition possible.

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Are you At Risk for Hypertension: The Silent Killer?

Hypertension is a contributing cause of nearly half a million deaths in the United States each year. It’s a chronic medical condition that’s diagnosed when the pressure inside your arteries is higher than normal, and only one in four people with hypertension have the condition under control.

Hypertension is often called “the silent killer,” because the condition has no warning signs. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is through regular blood pressure checks. It sounds scary, but if you’re diagnosed with hypertension, managing your condition can help you live a healthier life.

Our heart team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, led by Dr. Kunal Patel, is highly trained in diagnosing and treating hypertension. The first step to a healthier heart is understanding your risk of developing hypertension, and we’re here to help.

Recognizing your risk factors for hypertension

While it’s natural for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the course of a day, hypertension means that your blood pressure is always elevated. Consistently high blood pressure can damage your heart, eventually leading to serious complications like heart attack, stroke, or death.

Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but certain risk factors may make the condition more likely.

Men, seniors, people with a family history of hypertension, and those of African descent have a higher risk.

Some other common risk factors for hypertension include:

Obesity

Diabetes

Chronic kidney disease

Sedentary lifestyle

Unhealthy diet

Tobacco use

Alcohol use

Stress

Some risk factors are genetic, and you can’t change them. But there’s a lot you can do to improve your health and lower your blood pressure.

Modifying your lifestyle to improve your heart health can reduce your risk of hypertension, even if you have genetic risk factors. Talk to our team about your unique health history to find out what you can do to stay as healthy as possible.

Receiving a hypertension diagnosis

Hypertension often goes undiagnosed, because unlike many other chronic conditions, you can’t feel that something is wrong. Getting a blood pressure reading is the only way to know what your blood pressure is.

A blood pressure reading has two numbers: systolic on the top and diastolic on the bottom. Normal blood pressures are below 120/80. You’re at risk for hypertension if your reading is between 120/80 and 129/80, and the stages of hypertension begin when your blood pressure reaches 130/80.

When you come to our office for heart care, you’ll get your blood pressure taken. Our team generally diagnoses hypertension if you’ve had a high blood pressure reading at three separate visits to the office.

Receiving a hypertension diagnosis can be scary, but living a long, healthy life is possible with proper care. If you’re at risk for high blood pressure or you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, you can improve your health to reduce your chances of life-threatening complications.

NJ Cardiovascular Institute offers a unique Heart Smart Program, so you don’t have to do it alone. From nutritional management and exercise plans to educational content and diagnostic services, you can be confident that you’re making the right choices for heart health.

Is it time for your heart checkup? Don’t let high blood pressure go undetected and undiagnosed. Call one of our offices in Newark or Secaucus, New Jersey, or book your appointment online.

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Lifestyle Habits to Drop If You Have Hypertension

Nearly half of all American adults have hypertension, which is high blood pressure. It’s nicknamed “the silent killer,” because it doesn’t have noticeable early warning signs, but high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems like heart attack and stroke. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, it’s important to take it seriously to protect your health.

The good news is that hypertension is manageable. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in hypertension care, and we want to help you lower your risk of complications.

One of the best ways to manage hypertension is making certain lifestyle changes. So if you have high blood pressure, here are the top habits to drop right now.

1. Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for hypertension, heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases. Nicotine in cigarettes raises your blood pressure and increases your heart rate, which damages your blood vessels over time.

If you have hypertension, quitting smoking significantly lowers your risk of complications, and it can help keep your hypertension from getting worse.

2. Eating a lot of salt

Salt contains sodium, which may increase your blood pressure if you have hypertension. You should limit your sodium intake to no more than about 1500 milligrams per day, which equals about two-thirds of a teaspoon of table salt.

Most dietary sodium comes from processed foods, but the shaker and salt used in cooking contributes, too. Making small changes, like using herbs and spices instead of salt when you cook, can reduce your salt intake without compromising the flavor of your food.

3. Eating a lot of processed foods

Processed foods include things like chips, baked goods, pizza, candy, and soda. These options are often high in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, all of which can increase your blood pressure and make hypertension worse.

Switching from processed foods to whole foods can help you manage your hypertension. Try to eat a diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

4. Drinking too much alcohol

Alcohol can increase your blood pressure, and excessive drinking can cause hypertension or make it worse. For heart health, you should limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men.

5. Living a sedentary lifestyle

Lack of physical activity is linked to hypertension and heart disease, but being physically active can help your lower blood pressure and improve overall health. That’s why we recommend getting at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.

Getting active doesn’t have to be complicated, and it’s okay to start slowly. Try low-impact activities like walking, cycling, or swimming. Remember to talk with your healthcare team before starting any new exercise program.

6. Not (properly) managing stress

Everyone experiences stress from time to time, and high stress levels can increase your blood pressure. It’simportant to find healthy ways to manage stress, particularly if you have hypertension. Exercise helps relieve stress, and you can also try practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation, or taking up hobbies that you enjoy.

7. Not getting enough sleep

Sleep is essential for optimal health, and consistently not getting enough sleep can contribute to high blood pressure. To reduce the effects that lack of sleep has on your body, aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Establish healthy sleep habits — like having a nighttime routine and avoiding screens for at least an hour before bed — to improve your quality of sleep.

A hypertension diagnosis can be scary, but there’s a lot you can do to improve your health and lower your risk of complications. For more personalized tips to manage hypertension, book an appointment with Dr. Patel and our team.

Call one of our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, or send us a message online to get started.

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A Closer Look at Aneurysms

Your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are strong, muscle-lined tubes that keep blood flowing smoothly. But if part of an artery wall gets weak, it can balloon out and form an aneurysm.

Aneurysms are abnormal bulges in arteries. They typically form without symptoms, but they can quickly become a medical emergency if they burst and cause internal bleeding.

You can’t completely prevent an aneurysm, but you can learn your risk and take steps to improve your heart and vascular health. Kunal Patel, MD and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in aneurysm screening and heart disease care.

We share more about aneurysms, why they form, and how you can protect your health.

Types of aneurysms

Aneurysms can form in any artery in your body. They’re more common in certain areas, including the heart, abdomen, brain, legs, and spleen.

Aortic aneurysms and brain aneurysms are two of the most common types. Since they directly impact the arteries of your heart or brain, they’re also some of the most dangerous.

Aortic aneurysm

Your aorta is a large artery that starts in your heart and passes through your chest and abdomen. Aortic aneurysms develop when a bulge forms along your aorta, either in your chest or your abdomen.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs in your abdomen, and a thoracic aortic aneurysm forms in your chest. Together, aortic aneurysms cause about 25,000 deaths in the United States each year.

Brain aneurysm

A cerebral aneurysm develops in the arteries that transport blood to your brain. These aneurysms are also called brain aneurysms or berry aneurysms. In the United States, about 12,000 brain aneurysms are fatal each year.

Risk factors for aneurysms

Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes aneurysms to form, but they’re generally linked to heart conditions that cause your arterial walls to get weaker.

Certain factors may increase your risk of aneurysm. Dr. Patel may recommend screening for aneurysm or other heart conditions if you:

Are male

Are over age 60

Have high blood pressure

Smoke

Are overweight or obese

Having a family history of aneurysm or heart disease may also increase your risk of developing an aneurysm yourself.

Treatment options for aneurysms

Most of the time, aneurysms develop over time. Unless an aneurysm ruptures, it doesn't cause noticeable symptoms. Aneurysms may only be detected during routine medical testing.

If you’re at risk for an aneurysm, Dr. Patel may recommend an aneurysm screening to evaluate the health of your arteries. These screenings can also help our team monitor your aneurysm, arteries, and heart health before complications arise.

A ruptured aneurysm can quickly turn into a medical emergency. Signs of a ruptured aneurysm may vary depending on the location of the aneurysm, but may include:

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Increased heart rate

Abdominal, back, or chest pain

Severe headache

Ruptured aneurysms need prompt emergency medical care, and often require emergency surgery. Rapid care can help to prevent serious complications that may otherwise lead to death.

When you have an aneurysm, monitoring it could save your life. Come in for a consultation to learn more about our heart care services at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. Book online today or call the office nearest you — in Lakewood, Newark, Paramus, or Secaucus, New Jersey.

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Lifestyle Adjustments for High Blood Pressure

More than one-third of American adults have high blood pressure. It’s a common condition that carries serious health risks. Having high blood pressure increases your risk of suffering a stroke or a heart attack, but the good news is that it’s treatable.

At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, Kunal Patel, MD, and our team specialize in heart care and high blood pressure. We take a comprehensive approach to preventing and managing high blood pressure, and treatment often begins with healthy lifestyle changes.

Whether you have high blood pressure now, or you’re hoping to avoid a diagnosis in the future, lifestyle adjustments can do a world of good for your heart. You can improve your heart health and your blood pressure numbers with these tips:

Eat a heart-healthy diet

The food you eat directly affects your blood pressure and your heart health. To fight the effects of high blood pressure, eat a nutritious diet that contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-fat dairy.

Avoid foods that are high in sodium and trans fats. That includes processed foods, bakery items, and fast food. Enjoying alcoholic drinks in moderation is generally okay, but keep drinks to one per day for women and two for men.

Quit smoking

Smoking cigarettes is one of the leading causes of heart disease, and heart disease is the top cause of death for men and women in the United States. Smoking damages your heart and lungs, and it’s also linked to high blood pressure.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but even if you’ve smoked for years, it’s not too late to quit. Your heart health begins improving as early as a few days after your last cigarette, and keeps improving with time. Kicking the habit helps lower blood pressure too.

Make exercise a habit

Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure naturally over time. To boost your heart health, strive to get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days a week. Aerobic exercise includes activities like walking, jogging, biking, and swimming.

Incorporating exercise can lower your blood pressure and enhance your overall health. In fact, one study found that for sedentary older adults, regular aerobic exercise was just as effective as some blood pressure medications.

Manage your weight

Being overweight or obese contributes to high blood pressure, but losing extra weight can reduce your blood pressure numbers. Talk to Dr. Patel to find out what your ideal body weight is and whether your weight may be affecting your heart health.

If you’re overweight or obese, you don’t have to participate in a strenuous weight-loss program to see a difference in your health. When you eat a heart-healthy diet and incorporate exercise into your daily routine, you might be surprised to find that extra pounds drop off naturally.

You can take a proactive approach to managing high blood pressure with these healthy lifestyle changes. To learn more about how your lifestyle affects your heart and how our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute can help, schedule a consultation online or call one of our New Jersey offices for an appointment.

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10 Heart Healthy Foods to Work into Your Diet

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women of all races in the United States. Also known as cardiovascular disease, it’s caused by inflammation and plaque buildup inside blood vessels. This leads to narrowing or blockage inside the vessels, which causes heart attacks and strokes.

American Heart Month is focused on raising awareness about heart disease. At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we’re here to be your partner in heart health. Our team is highly trained in preventing and managing heart disease, helping men and women make smart choices to improve cardiovascular health and overall wellness.

To find out more about how you can reduce your risk of heart disease, book a consultation with our cardiologist, Dr. Kunal Patel, online or on the phone. Today, Dr. Patel shares 10 heart-healthy foods to work into your diet and why they’re beneficial for your body.

1. Avocado

Fats often get a bad reputation in the world of healthy eating, but monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that are linked to improved brain function, heart health, and more. Avocados contain monounsaturated fats along with potassium for heart health.

Eating avocados regularly can reduce your risk of metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and high cholesterol. The potassium in avocados can contribute to lower blood pressure and lower risk of stroke.

2. Leafy greens

Leafy greens are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Vitamin K, which is found in greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens, helps keep arteries healthy and promotes healthy blood clotting.

Regularly eating leafy greens can reduce blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease. The nitrates in leafy greens fight arterial stiffness and improve blood vessel function.

3. Berries

Berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries have antioxidants called anthocyanins that reduce inflammation and free radical damage that contribute to heart disease.

Eating berries can reduce cholesterol, lower your risk of metabolic syndrome, and control blood pressure. Consider snacking on berries to boost heart health or make berries the centerpiece of salads and desserts.

4. Whole grains

Whole grains contain all the most beneficial parts of grain. Foods like whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats, and quinoa are examples of whole grains. When foods contain not only the nutrient-rich germ and endosperm, but also the fiber-rich bran, they can lower your risk of heart disease.

When compared to refined grains like white bread and commercially-baked cakes and pastries, whole grains have more fiber, which may help lower both “bad” cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

5. Nuts

Almonds and walnuts are dense in vitamins and minerals like magnesium, copper, and manganese. They’re also high in fiber and monounsaturated fats, which are both good for your heart health.

Regularly eating almonds and walnuts can contribute to lower cholesterol levels, which is a plus for your heart. While nuts have numerous heart-healthy benefits, they’re also high in calories, so watch your portion sizes.

6. Seeds

Flax, hemp, and chia seeds can all have heart-healthy benefits. They contain omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, and contribute to lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels, as well as reduced inflammation.

These seeds can be baked into breads or added to oatmeal or smoothies for a heart-healthy boost.

7. Fatty fish

Omega-3 fats boast numerous benefits for the heart. Fatty fish, including tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines, all contain high levels of this supernutrient. Omega-3 fats improve heart health by reducing inflammation, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.

However, many Americans don’t eat much seafood. If you don’t want to add fish to your diet, consider taking fish oil supplements, which is an alternative way to get omega-3 fats and reap the heart-healthy benefits.

8. Beans

Beans have a compound called resistant starch that helps feed healthy bacteria in the gut. Eating beans and legumes can reduce cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels. Diets rich in beans and legumes may also lead to lower blood pressure and reduced inflammation, both of which can lower your risk of heart disease.

9. Garlic

Garlic is a popular seasoning, but it also has medicinal benefits. Allicin, a compound naturally found in garlic, has been proven to help treat high blood pressure.

Garlic may also reduce cholesterol levels in people who suffer from high cholesterol. In some cases, compounds in garlic help stop platelet buildup in blood vessels, which can reduce your risk of blood clots and stroke.

Eating raw garlic or crushing it and letting it rest for a couple of minutes before adding it to your meal allows the allicin to form. If you want the benefits of garlic without adding it to your food, oral garlic supplements are available.

10. Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that benefit the heart. Eating dark chocolate regularly has been linked to lower risk of heart disease and lower risk of calcified plaque buildup in arteries.

Despite the heart healthy benefits of dark chocolate, it can be high in calories and sugar. When adding chocolate to your diet for heart health, choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa and enjoy it in moderation.

Making a few small changes to your diet can result in stronger heart health and improved well-being. Let our team help you find the right heart-healthy lifestyle changes for you. Book an appointment online or call one of our offices in Newark and Secaucus, New Jersey.

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