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.
by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Flip-flopping in your chest. Pounding in your throat. Rapid beats that make you feel a little lightheaded. All these and more are signs of a common phenomenon: heart palpitations.
Palpitations are irregular heartbeats, and they can draw your attention to your heart and make you wonder if something is wrong. Most of the time, palpitations aren’t a sign of something more serious — but it’s important to know when to get your heartbeat checked out by a pro.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute provide comprehensive heart care. Lots of people ask us if they should be concerned about their heart palpitations, and here’s our answer.
The most common causes of heart palpitations
Your heart follows a normal rhythm, but it’s not unusual for that rhythm to get disrupted occasionally. Your activity level, your emotional state, and even the foods you consume can change your heart rhythm.
A few of the most common causes of palpitations are:
Depression
Fever
Hormonal changes
Stimulants, like caffeine or nicotine
Strenuous exercise
Strong emotions, like anxiety, stress, or panic
Heart palpitations due to these factors are temporary, and they usually aren’t cause for concern.
When to go to the doctor for heart palpitations
Most of the time, heart palpitations aren’t a sign that something is wrong with your heart. However, about one in 18 Americans has an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmias require medical care, so it’s important to get your heart palpitations checked out if:
You get heart palpitations frequently
Almost everyone experiences palpitations at some point, but they’re usually fairly infrequent. Make an appointment with Dr. Patel if you regularly get more than six heart palpitations in one minute or if you get three or more palpitations at a time. You should also talk to Dr. Patel if you experience a sudden change in palpitations.
You’re at risk for heart disease
Heart palpitations could be a sign of heart disease, a group of conditions that limit your heart function and put your health at risk. Anyone can get heart disease, and factors that increase your risk include:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Poor diet
Smoking
Talk to Dr. Patel about your heart palpitations if you’re at risk of heart disease or if you have a history of heart disease.
You have additional symptoms with palpitations
In rare cases, heart palpitations could be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 if you get palpitations along with:
Confusion
Chest pain or pressure
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Excessive sweating
Fainting or loss of consciousness
These symptoms could indicate that you’re having a heart attack. A heart attack is a medical emergency.
If you’re worried about your heart, don’t hesitate to get it checked out. Dr. Patel and our team run diagnostic tests to evaluate your heart health and pinpoint the cause of your discomfort. Once we know what’s causing your palpitations, we work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Contact NJ Cardiovascular Institute online or call one of our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, or Secaucus, New Jersey, to make your first appointment.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
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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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
About half a million Americans suffer cardiac arrest each year. It’s a serious medical condition that develops quickly and without warning. Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Cardiac arrest occurs when your heart stops beating, which halts blood flow throughout your body. Symptoms include no pulse, loss of consciousness, and no breathing. Cardiac arrest can cause death — but with prompt medical care, it’s possible to survive.
NJ Cardiovascular Institute is your expert resource for heart health. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team are highly trained in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, from coronary artery disease to heart palpitations, that can cause problems like cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest is sudden, but certain factors increase your risk of experiencing this severe cardiac event. You could have a greater risk of cardiac arrest if:
You have coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition. It develops when your coronary arteries become narrow because they’re blocked by plaque buildup. The coronary arteries are responsible for transporting blood to your heart, and if they’re blocked, your heart doesn’t get enough blood.
Most people who suffer cardiac arrest have coronary artery disease. In addition to increasing your risk for cardiac arrest, this chronic condition also increases your chances of suffering a heart attack. Angina (chest pain) is the top symptom of coronary artery disease.
Having other heart conditions can increase your risk of cardiac arrest, too. Electrical pulse problems, congenital heart disease, and an enlarged heart may put you at greater risk of cardiac arrest.
You have a history of heart attack
It’s possible to experience cardiac arrest at the same time as a heart attack. Heart attacks caused by coronary artery disease can trigger an irregular heartbeat that then leads to cardiac arrest within the same episode.
But even if you have a heart attack without cardiac arrest, the heart attack can leave behind scar tissue and weaken your heart. These side effects may make cardiac arrest more likely later on. People who have a family history of heart attack or cardiac arrest may also be more likely to experience these cardiac events in their own lifetimes.
You have certain lifestyle habits
Your heart health is linked to your overall health. Your heart health could be at risk if you:
Live a sedentary lifestyle
Eat a diet high in fat and low in vitamins and minerals
Smoke cigarettes
Are obese
Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can increase your chances of developing coronary artery disease and cardiac arrest.
Other factors that you can’t change affect your risk of cardiac arrest, like age and gender. Men over age 45 are at greater risk for cardiac arrest than women or younger men. Those with a family history of heart problems are also at greater risk.
There are certain symptoms that could indicate heart problems, regardless of other risk factors you might have. Signs that you should come in for a heart health evaluation include:
Chest pain
Irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Fainting
Dizziness
At any time, if someone near you is struggling to breath or has lost consciousness, call 911 immediately. People who suffer cardiac arrest can benefit from a defibrillator or CPR from someone who’s trained while waiting for emergency medical assistance.
If you’re at greater risk for suffering cardiac arrest, it’s more important than ever to take care of your heart. Book an appointment with our team at one of our offices in Newark or Secaucus, New Jersey, to get started on a treatment plan that helps you keep your heart as healthy as possible.
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by cardiopulmonarydiagnostic | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is an irregular heartbeat that happens when the upper chambers of your heart (the atria) beat out of sync with the lower chambers (the ventricles). Instead of contracting effectively, the atria quiver and create an irregular and often rapid heartbeat.
While AFib on its own typically isn’t life-threatening, it disrupts your heart’s ability to pump blood; left untreated, it can significantly increase your risk of stroke, heart failure, and other complications. The good news is that AFib is treatable, and proactive care is the best way to protect your long-term health.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in diagnosing and treating heart conditions with our Heart Smart Program. Here are five warning signs of AFib that everyone should know and no one should ignore.
1. Heart palpitations
Many people with AFib describe the feeling of their irregular heartbeats as a racing, pounding, or fluttering sensation in their chests. These sensations may come on suddenly and last for seconds, minutes, or longer.
2. Shortness of breath
Because AFib interferes with blood pumping, your body — and your lungs — may not always get enough oxygen. Even light activity, like walking or climbing stairs, can leave you unusually winded if you have untreated AFib.
4. Fatigue and weakness
If your heart isn’t pumping blood effectively, it can make you feel drained all the time. Persistent tiredness — even after a good night’s sleep — can be a subtle but important red flag that means it's time to get your heart checked.
3. Dizziness or lightheadedness
Low blood oxygen can leave your lungs and body fatigued, and it can also affect your brain. Irregular heart rhythms due to AFib can reduce blood flow to your brain and make you feel faint or unsteady. In severe cases, this may even lead to fainting spells.
5. Chest pain or pressure
You should always take chest discomfort seriously. While not everyone experiences chest pain with AFib, it’s important to talk to your doctor about it, because chest pain could also signal a heart attack that requires immediate medical attention.
AFib may come and go (paroxysmal AFib), persist for long periods, or even become permanent. Regardless of the type, it affects your heart’s ability to pump blood, which not only causes uncomfortable symptoms but also raises the chance of blood clots traveling to your brain and causing a stroke.
When to schedule a heart check for AFib symptoms
Do any of these warning signs sound familiar? It’s important not to dismiss them. Early detection and treatment are essential to protect both your heart health and overall quality of life, so schedule an appointment with a cardiologist if you’re experiencing palpitations, fatigue, or unexplained shortness of breath.
Remember that if you develop sudden chest pain, fainting, or severe shortness of breath, call 911 immediately because these may be signs of a medical emergency.
Dr. Patel offers comprehensive cardiac evaluations, which can include an electrocardiogram (ECG), monitoring devices, or imaging tests to assess your heart rhythm and overall heart health. With the right diagnosis, treatment options like medications, lifestyle changes, or procedures like ablation can help control AFib and reduce risks.
AFib is a serious but manageable condition when it’s caught early. By staying alert to common warning signs, you can take proactive steps toward protecting your heart. Call 201-866-7000 or book an appointment online with NJ Cardiovascular Institute in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, to get started.
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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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