by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. Experiencing chest discomfort can be scary, and many people assume it means they’re having a heart attack. Angina is the kind of chest pain that accompanies a heart attack, and it’s caused by decreased blood flow to the heart.
While it’s true that chest pain is a symptom of serious heart problems like a heart attack, it’s also a symptom of other, less serious conditions. Your heart can cause chest pain, but so can your lungs, digestive system, and nearby muscles.
At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we specialize in diagnosing and treating chest pain. Dr. Kunal Patel and our team offer comprehensive heart care, and we’re here to help you find the treatment that works.
If you experience crushing or squeezing chest pain that lasts for several minutes, with or without other symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or radiating pain, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
If your symptoms are different, it’s time to learn more about a few lesser-known causes of chest pain.
Pneumonia or bronchitis
Your lungs can cause chest pain, especially if you have a condition like pneumonia or bronchitis. Both pneumonia and bronchitis can make breathing difficult or painful, and you feel the pain inside your chest.
Bronchospasm is a sudden narrowing of the airways, which can result in chest pain. Bronchospasm can develop along with pneumonia or bronchitis, but it can also occur with chronic conditions. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma may be more likely to experience bronchospasm.
Acid reflux
Acid reflux, also called heartburn, can make your chest hurt. Acid reflux develops when the contents of your stomach travel backward into your esophagus, causing an unpleasant burning sensation.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic form of acid reflux, which means you suffer from heartburn regularly. If you have chest pain with GERD, you might notice pain gets worse when you cough or take a deep breath.
Shingles
Shingles is a type of viral infection that typically causes a painful rash, but it can also cause chest pain. In fact, chest pain may develop before a rash appears. Chest pain associated with shingles often feels like a band of sharp pain. The rash may appear a few days after you notice chest pain.
Fractures or muscle strains
Musculoskeletal injury can cause chest pain. Bruised or broken ribs, along with compression fractures, can trigger pain within your chest. People with damaged bones generally experience intense pain at the time of injury.
Strenuous physical activity can strain the muscles and tendons around your ribs and chest. This strain may cause inflammation and lead to chest pain. If your pain gets worse with activity, it may be due to sore muscles.
When chest pain necessitates immediate medical care
If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Symptoms of a heart attack include the sudden onset of symptoms such as:
Chest pain (angina)
Pain that spreads to the shoulders and arms
Shortness of breath
Nausea or vomiting
Lightheadedness
Cold sweat
On the other hand, there are many conditions that affect heart health and don’t show obvious signs or symptoms. A few of these are high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both of which can lead to heart disease and other heart issues.
The only way to ensure you’re enjoying your best health is to keep up with your regular doctor’s appointments. Learn more about what our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute can offer you with a consultation.
We have offices to serve you in Newark and Secaucus, New Jersey. Call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment today.
by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
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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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | 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 NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Cholesterol is a waxy substance naturally found in your blood. It’s an essential building block for healthy cells, but having too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to buildup in your arteries.
This buildup can narrow the arteries, making your heart work harder to pump blood throughout your body. High cholesterol is a top risk factor for heart disease, which is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States for both men and women.
An estimated 102 million Americans have high cholesterol, but since this common condition doesn’t have obvious symptoms, that number is likely even higher. Having high cholesterol increases your risk of developing heart disease, but the good news is that lifestyle changes can make a big difference for your cholesterol levels and your overall well-being.
Kunal Patel, MD and our heart specialists at NJ Cardiovascular Institute help people manage their cholesterol levels. Today, we’re sharing some of our best tips for lowering cholesterol and boosting heart health.
1. Get moving
Incorporating physical activity into your routine is good for your cholesterol levels and your heart. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, which translates to about 30 minutes most days of the week.
Exercise improves cholesterol levels by boosting HDL, which is “good” cholesterol. Before you start a new exercise plan, talk with Dr. Patel to find activities that are safe for you. If you find working out for 30 minutes at a time too strenuous at first, you can still reap heart-health benefits from shorter sessions of 5-10 minutes at a time.
2. Eat heart-healthy foods
Some foods boast heart-healthy benefits because they lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol. Soluble fiber is an important substance found in whole grains and beans that may reduce the amount of cholesterol your blood absorbs. Foods with omega-3 fats (like fish) are also good for your health.
Foods high in trans fats elevate cholesterol levels, so reducing or eliminating these from your diet can help you manage high cholesterol. Store-bought baked goods and fast foods are often high in trans fats. Too much sugar can raise your blood triglyceride levels, which can also up your risk for heart disease.
3. Maintain a healthy weight
Carrying extra weight may elevate your total cholesterol levels. If you’re overweight or obese, losing just a few pounds can help lower your cholesterol. Dr. Patel and our team are here to help you find healthy ways to lose weight by making long-term lifestyle changes.
The best way to lose weight and keep it off is by integrating a balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise into your daily life. Try eliminating foods with extra fat and sugar, and strive to find activities you enjoy (like taking your dog for a walk) to move your body more.
4. Quit smoking
Smoking cigarettes damages the walls of blood vessels. The damage increases your risk of developing arterial plaque, which makes your heart work harder. Quitting smoking prevents damage from continuing, and it also improves HDL cholesterol levels.
Research shows that in as little as 20 minutes after you smoke your last cigarette, your blood pressure and heart rate drop to healthier levels. After three months, blood circulation improves, and after one year, your risk of heart disease can drop by 50%.
5. Visit the doctor regularly
Make visiting the doctor part of your ongoing healthcare routine. Not only can our team diagnose high cholesterol, but we’re here to help you manage it and improve your heart health.
We can recommend diet tips and other lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol naturally, and if that’s not effective enough, we can prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication. Whether you’re taking medication or not, regular check-ups with Dr. Patel are important to help you stay in control of your health.
There are plenty of ways to achieve lower cholesterol, and you don’t have to do it alone. Get personalized support by booking a consultation online or calling the NJ Cardiovascular Institute office nearest you. We have offices in Secaucus and Newark, New Jersey.
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3 Reasons Why You Have Chest Pain and Palpitations : Kunal Patel, MD, FACC: Board Certified Cardiologist
Feeling pain or fluttering in your chest is scary. Chest pain and palpitations are common symptoms that can be both alarming and worrisome — and if your first thought is that you’re having a heart attack, you’re certainly not alone.
Chest pain and palpitations can be serious. But more often than not, they’re caused by benign conditions like anxiety or even acid reflux.
As a leading cardiologist in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, Kunal Patel, MD, can help you determine the cause of your chest discomfort. He and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in diagnostics to evaluate your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
Here are three possible reasons why you might experience chest pain and palpitations, and what to do about them.
1. Anxiety or stress
Both chest pain and palpitations can be symptoms of high anxiety or stress. When you're feeling anxious or stressed, your body produces more adrenaline. Adrenaline is a hormone that increases blood flow and breathing rate, and more adrenaline can make your heart beat faster and result in chest pain. Although it’s benign, it can still be uncomfortable and concerning.
If you struggle with stress or anxiety, practicing stress-management techniques like deep breathing and physical exercise can be helpful in reducing symptoms.
2. Gastrointestinal issues
Sometimes, gastrointestinal problems like acid reflux or indigestion cause chest pain. The nerves that connect to your esophagus and chest run close to your heart, which can make it difficult to determine the origin of the pain. That’s why acid reflux is often referred to as “heartburn.”
If you experience chest pain after eating or lying down, it may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a chronic type of acid reflux. Treating the underlying gastrointestinal issue can relieve symptoms.
3. Cardiovascular issues
Last but not least, chest pain or palpitations could be signs of cardiovascular issues. Angina is chest pain, which is discomfort caused by a lack of oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart muscle, and it can be a warning sign of a heart attack.
Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats that can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain. Most arrhythmias are harmless, while others can be serious and require medical attention.
If you have sudden, severe chest pain along with shortness of breath, sweating, or an unusual sense of fullness or pressure, it's important to seek medical attention immediately, as these could be signs of a heart attack.
Experiencing chest pain is concerning, and you should never ignore it. Chest pain and palpitations can be caused by a variety of factors, and only a doctor can determine the cause and recommend the best course of treatment.
Dr. Patel and our team offer comprehensive diagnostics and testing to evaluate your heart health. Once we know what’s causing your symptoms, we develop a treatment plan to help minimize your symptoms and improve your health.
Make an appointment with Dr. Patel and our team to get started. Call the NJ Cardiovascular Institute office nearest you or send us a message online today.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Your heart works hard. It beats every minute of every day, pumping some 2,000 gallons of blood through your body daily. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to your body through your blood, and it’s what keeps you alive.
You probably know that taking care of your heart is important for overall wellness, but what’s the best way to improve your heart health? And what happens if you’re at risk for common heart problems like heart disease?
Our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute can help you find answers. Kunal Patel, MD, specializes in heart health and managing chronic heart conditions. Today, we’re exploring some things you might not know about your heart — and how learning about it can help you enjoy better health.
Heart health involves more than just your heart
What comes to mind when you think of heart problems? Something like chest pain, heart attacks, or heart palpitations might be your first thought, but heart health extends far beyond your heart muscle alone.
Your cardiovascular system, also called the circulatory system, is made up of your heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. Your heart pumps blood through your arteries, sending oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood through your body. Oxygen-poor blood travels through your veins back to your heart and lungs, and the process starts over again.
Some common health conditions, like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, damage your arteries and have a negative impact on your heart over time. Damaged or blocked arteries make it harder for blood to flow smoothly through your veins, which means your heart has to work harder to do its job.
You could be at risk for heart disease
Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death in the United States. It’s responsible for about one in four deaths, but it’s largely preventable with proactive heart care.
Since heart disease can develop without noticeable warning signs, it’s important to recognize the factors that could increase your risk.
The three main risk factors for heart disease are:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Smoking
Nearly 50% of American adults have at least one of these three risk factors for heart disease.
Other factors that could increase your risk of developing heart disease include:
Diabetes
Eating an unhealthy diet
Excessive alcohol consumption
Obesity
Physical inactivity
If you think you could be at risk for heart disease, schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel. He offers diagnostic testing to evaluate your heart health, and our team works with you to prevent disease progression and improve your heart health.
Improving heart health doesn’t have to be complicated
It’s vital to take care of your heart, but it’s not always easy to know where to start. That’s why we have our Heart Smart Program.
The Heart Smart Program is a comprehensive approach to heart health. We make it simple to implement heart-healthy changes and get the preventive heart care you need. It’s a good option for people with existing heart conditions, but anyone can benefit from taking these steps to improve their heart health.
The program includes nutritional management, exercise routines, and educational sessions to help you make healthy lifestyle changes. You learn about how your diet affects your heart and the important role exercise plays in cardiovascular wellness.
Depending on your needs, we offer a range of diagnostic services to identify and monitor existing heart conditions. We partner with you to help you achieve your best possible health, no matter your age.
Curious about more ways to improve your heart health? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel and our team. Call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.
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