by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 7, 2024 | Blog, Heart Health
Are you experiencing discomfort in your chest? It can be alarming — and while your first thought might be that you’re having a heart attack, it’s important not to panic.
In fact, your discomfort could be caused by something as minor as muscle soreness. The symptoms of chest pain and muscle soreness can sometimes be confused due to their proximity and the nature of the discomfort, and we’re here to help you find answers.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute are experienced in diagnosing and treating chest pain in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey. Understanding the differences can help you determine the appropriate response and seek timely medical care, if necessary.
Chest pain vs. muscle soreness: the basics
Chest pain can stem from various sources, including heart issues, lung problems, and gastrointestinal conditions. Some causes of chest pain are potentially life-threatening, so it’s essential to take your symptoms seriously.
Angina, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular conditions can cause chest pain. This pain often feels like pressure, squeezing, or a burning sensation. Lung conditions like pneumonia, pleurisy, or a pulmonary embolism can lead to sharp, stabbing pain in the chest.
Sometimes, gastrointestinal issues can cause chest pain that mimics heart-related pain. Some possible causes are acid reflux or esophageal spasms.
Muscle soreness, on the other hand, is usually less concerning. Although it can be painful, it isn’t related to organ function and typically results from physical activity, injury, or even poor posture.
Overexertion or strenuous exercise can make your chest muscles sore, especially if you’re doing activities involving your upper body. Strains, sprains, or trauma to your chest muscles can also cause localized soreness and tenderness.
How to tell the difference between chest pain and muscle soreness
Chest pain and muscle soreness have different treatments, so recognizing what’s behind your symptoms is the first step to getting the care you need.
To tell the difference, consider the:
Location and nature of your pain
Chest pain often feels deep and intense. It can radiate to other areas like your arms, neck, jaw, or back. The pain might be constant or intermittent and can vary in intensity.
Muscle soreness is typically localized to specific muscles. It usually feels more like an ache or stiffness rather than a sharp or burning pain, and you may be able to reproduce it by pressing on the affected area or moving in a certain way.
Onset and duration
Chest pain can come on suddenly, and it may persist or worsen with activity. Heart-related pain, for instance, often occurs during exertion and may improve with rest.
Muscle soreness usually develops gradually after physical activity or injury and improves with rest and time. It might feel worse when you move or stretch the affected muscle.
Other symptoms
Chest pain may be accompanied by additional symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, nausea, or a rapid heartbeat. These symptoms often indicate a more serious underlying condition.
Muscle soreness generally doesn’t come with other symptoms. You might experience some mild swelling or bruising if an injury caused the soreness.
When to see a doctor for chest pain
First and foremost, seek immediate help for chest pain. Severe, sudden chest pain could be a sign of a heart attack or other serious condition, especially if it's accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or pain radiating to other parts of your body. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
If you’re not sure what’s causing your chest discomfort or if your symptoms worsen, go to the doctor. Dr. Patel and our team can do a thorough evaluation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Distinguishing between chest pain and muscle soreness is vital for your health — and for your peace of mind. We recommend erring on the side of caution, and we’re here to help you understand what’s causing your symptoms. Call us to book your appointment or send us a message online to learn more.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Jul 25, 2024 | Blog, Heart Health
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.
by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Jun 26, 2024 | Blog, Heart Health
Your heart works tirelessly day in and day out. And although it seems like an unstoppable force, it’s more vulnerable than you might think. In fact, heart disease accounts for one in five deaths in the United States.
Heart disease, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular conditions are shockingly common, and they can affect anyone. These conditions are serious, but the good news is that taking care of your heart health doesn’t have to be complicated.
A few simple lifestyle changes can significantly boost your heart health. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in cardiology, and our Heart Smart Program is designed to help you make heart health part of your everyday life.
Here are five ways you can start improving your heart health today.
1. Move more, sit less
Physical activity is the best way to maintain a healthy heart. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
Remember that workouts don’t have to be vigorous to offer heart healthy benefits. Consider activities like taking a brisk walk, going for a bike ride, or even dancing around your living room. Every little bit counts, so find activities you enjoy and make them a regular part of your routine.
2. Eat heart-healthy foods
Did you know the food you eat directly affects your heart health? Try to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats each day.
Go easy on red meats, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars, which can increase your risk of heart disease. Small changes — like swapping out sugary drinks for water, opting for 100% whole-grain bread instead of white, and adding more leafy greens to your plate — can make a big difference for your heart and your overall well-being.
3. Manage stress
Chronic stress can take a toll on your heart health. Stress can elevate your blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease, so it’s essential to find healthy ways to manage stress in your life.
Take time to prioritize self-care and relaxation. Consider practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, engaging in hobbies you enjoy, spending time with loved ones, or seeking support from a therapist or counselor if needed. A little bit of effort here can have a profound impact on your stress levels and your heart health.
4. Get enough sleep
While you sleep, your body performs essential repair and rejuvenation processes. Chronic sleep deprivation means you’re not getting enough sleep, and it can lead to high blood pressure, weight gain, and increased stress levels — all of which can negatively impact heart health.
For optimal heart health, aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Establish a consistent sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to make it easier to fall asleep, get more restful sleep, and boost your heart health.
5. Join our Heart Smart Program
Last but not least, take your commitment to heart health to the next level by joining our Heart Smart Program. It’s a comprehensive program designed to provide preventive and continued care for your heart through routine checkups.
Along with health marker monitoring, you have access to personalized guidance from Dr. Patel and our team, educational resources to help you understand and manage your heart health, and support from a community of people on their own heart health journeys.
Whether you’re looking to prevent heart disease or manage an existing condition, our program can help you stay on track and achieve your goals. Early detection and proactive management helps you enjoy your best possible heart health at every age.
Prioritizing your heart health doesn’t have to be complicated. These simple changes can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease — so why wait? To get started, call one of our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, or Secaucus, New Jersey, or send us a message online.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | May 9, 2024 | Blog, Heart Health
Heart palpitations are sudden fluttering sensations in your chest. They make you feel like your heart is racing or that it’s skipped a beat, and when you notice these sensations, it’s normal to feel worried.
Common causes of heart palpitations are stress, caffeine intake, and physical exertion — but what many people don't realize is that hormonal changes can also trigger palpitations. In fact, understanding this connection can help you better manage your heart health.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in cardiology, and we know just how concerning it can be to experience heart palpitations. Here’s what you should know about the unique link between hormonal changes and palpitations.
How your hormones affect your heart
Hormones are chemical messengers in your body. They influence a lot of different bodily functions, including heart rate and rhythm. Specifically, estrogen and progesterone have profound effects on the cardiovascular system — and changes in these hormones can cause heart palpitations, particularly in women.
In fact, your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, and certain medical treatments like hormone replacement therapy and contraceptives all make estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate significantly.
Your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause
During your menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone levels naturally rise and fall. These changes affect your heart's electrical activity, sometimes triggering heart palpitations just before or during your monthly period.
Pregnancy brings about major hormonal changes, including a surge in estrogen and progesterone levels. As your body adjusts to support your developing baby, your heart works harder. For some women, these changes can lead to heart palpitations. While palpitations during pregnancy are usually benign, it's important to consult your healthcare provider.
In menopause, your estrogen levels decline. This hormonal imbalance can cause heart palpitations along with other symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. While menopausal palpitations are typically harmless, they may indicate underlying cardiovascular issues, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain or dizziness.
Medical treatments
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a popular treatment to alleviate menopausal symptoms. It increases estrogen levels, but it can sometimes trigger palpitations as your body adjusts to a new hormonal balance.
Finally, contraceptives that contain estrogen can also influence your heart’s rhythm. While rare, some women can experience palpitations as a side effect of hormonal birth control.
Other possible factors
Aside from these natural hormonal fluctuations, conditions like hyperthyroidism can also lead to heart palpitations. Thyroid hormones influence metabolism and heart function, so an overactive thyroid can cause the heart to beat faster and irregularly.
Managing hormone-related heart palpitations
If you notice an unusual heartbeat or palpitations, don’t ignore them. Dr. Patel and our team can pinpoint the cause, so you can better manage your heart health. Managing hormone-related heart palpitations often involves addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance or trigger.
Tracking your menstrual cycles and managing stress levels can help you get more in tune with your body and reduce menstrual palpitations. If you’re pregnant, regular prenatal care and monitoring can ensure the safety of both you and your baby.
In menopause, lifestyle modifications like regular exercise, stress management, and dietary changes can help alleviate symptoms. If you are on HRT or contraceptives, adjusting the dosage or trying alternative medications may be necessary to minimize palpitations.
Your hormones can have a significant impact on your heart — and better care starts with better understanding. By staying informed and proactive about your heart health, you can navigate hormonal fluctuations with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Learn more with a consultation at NJ Cardiovascular Institute at one of our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, or Secaucus, New Jersey. Call or send us a message online today.
by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | May 1, 2024 | Blog, Heart Health
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 NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Feb 1, 2024 | Blog, Heart Health
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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