by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
About one in four Americans has varicose veins — those large, twisted veins that appear just below the skin’s surface on the legs and feet. Varicose veins range from purplish red to blue, and they’re a source of embarrassment for many people.
Varicose veins form when valves inside your veins malfunction, causing blood to flow back the wrong way or pool inside your veins. Most of the time, varicose veins are simply a cosmetic concern and don’t pose serious risks to your health, but they can lead to more severe complications if left untreated.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute are here to help — whether you’re experiencing discomfort, swelling, or you’re unhappy with the way your legs look. Our varicose vein team offers treatments to improve your legs’ appearance and reduce your risk of suffering medical complications related to varicose veins.
More than just a cosmetic issue, a few potential dangers of varicose veins include leg pain, stasis ulcers, and blood clots.
Leg pain
Varicose veins can develop anywhere in the body, but they’re most often located in the legs or feet due to increased pressure inside your veins when you stand and walk. After cosmetic concerns, the most common symptom of varicose veins is leg pain.
Pooling blood can make your legs feel heavy or achy. In more severe cases, varicose veins may cause burning, throbbing, or swelling in affected legs. Discomfort may increase when you sit or stand for long periods of time, and sometimes the skin around varicose veins becomes itchy.
Stasis ulcers
Varicose veins form when blood isn’t effectively pumped back to your heart. As a result, blood collects in the veins, stretching the walls and creating more pressure. This may cause chronic swelling around the veins, and proteins inside your blood can leak into surrounding tissues and create skin ulcers, also called stasis ulcers.
Stasis ulcers may cause skin discoloration and scaling on your lower legs. Discoloration can appear dark red or purple, because blood spreads into surrounding tissue. The ulcer itself may appear shallow but large, and usually develops around your calf or ankle. Ulcers increase your risk of developing an infection and require professional medical care.
Blood clots
Although rare, blood clots are another potential danger of varicose veins. Clots can form inside superficial veins, causing swelling and tenderness in the affected area. Blood clots in superficial veins can be painful, but they generally don’t travel to the lungs or cause other health complications.
However, it’s possible for blood clots to develop in severe varicose veins deep inside your legs. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical condition that can cause a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) and related complications. Talk to our team to find out if you’re at risk for DVT.
Finding treatment for varicose veins
Don’t hesitate to make an appointment with us at NJ Cardiovascular Institute if you’re concerned about your varicose veins. We offer vein evaluations and various treatment options for both cosmetic and health reasons.
We perform a complete evaluation, that may include ultrasound testing, to diagnose circulation problems, and then we recommend a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Improve your health and your appearance with varicose vein care at one of our offices in Newark or Secaucus, New Jersey. Call us or book a consultation online to get started today.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Crushing chest pain. Shortness of breath. Sudden lightheadedness. Breaking out into a cold sweat. There’s no denying these symptoms are scary. They come on suddenly, and if you’re experiencing them, your first thought might be that you’re having a heart attack.
While it’s true that these are all signs of a heart attack, they’re also signs of something much less life-threatening: a panic attack. Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear that aren’t in proportion to the situation, but the symptoms are so similar that it can be hard to tell the difference in the moment.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute can help. We specialize in identifying the cause of your chest pain so you can get the care you need. Here, we share how to tell the difference between panic attacks and heart attacks, and what to do if you start experiencing symptoms.
Why panic attacks and heart attacks feel similar
Both panic attacks and heart attacks come on suddenly. Panic attacks happen when stress hormones trigger your body’s fight-or-flight response, which elevates your heart rate. A heart attack happens when your heart doesn’t get all the blood it needs.
Since they both impact your heart, panic attacks and heart attacks can cause symptoms that include:
Chest pain or pressure
Cold sweat
Feeling of impending doom
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Nausea
Racing heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Symptoms range in intensity, and they’re so similar that it’s not always easy to determine what the cause is — especially if you’ve never had a panic attack or a heart attack before.
However, learning the difference is very important. Although they’re scary, panic attacks aren’t life-threatening. Heart attacks are, and they require immediate emergency medical care to prevent serious complications or death.
Identifying the differences between a panic attack and a heart attack
Although they share some similar symptoms, panic attacks and heart attacks are very different medical conditions. Panic attacks are often triggered by mental or emotional stress. Heart attacks happen when something blocks blood flow to your heart.
Signs it’s a panic attack
Panic attacks can happen at any time, including when you’re resting or sleeping. Along with other symptoms, you might experience shaking, trembling, or weakness.
Panic attack symptoms typically last for a few minutes to about an hour. The symptoms go away on their own with time, and you feel better afterward.
Signs it’s a heart attack
Unlike panic attacks, heart attacks usually develop after physical exertion or strenuous exercise. Chest pain from a heart attack is intense. It doesn’t always stay in your chest — it may radiate to your arm, neck, or jaw. The pain might ebb and flow, but it doesn’t go away.
Your symptoms are more likely to be caused by a heart attack if you have a history of chest pain or other heart conditions. If you think you might be having a heart attack, don’t wait to seek help. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Heart attacks require immediate medical attention. Panic attacks don’t require emergency care, but still, you shouldn’t ignore your symptoms. If you’ve had a panic attack, talk to your health care team about possible causes and treatment to help you feel better.
Not sure what’s causing your symptoms? Get your chest pain checked out at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. Call one of our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, or Secaucus, New Jersey, to schedule your appointment.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Food is your body’s main source of fuel. The foods and drinks you consume every day contain calories and nutrients, which your body converts into energy that keeps you alive.
Eating a healthy diet is one of the most important elements of living a healthy life. Healthy foods contain essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that keep your body functioning at its best — so it’s no surprise that the food you eat directly impacts the health of your heart.
Healthy foods can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of heart disease and other heart problems. Unhealthy foods can have the opposite effect. But what constitutes a healthy diet? And which foods are most important for heart health?
It’s normal to have questions, but protecting your heart doesn’t have to be complicated. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute are proud to educate people of all ages about the benefits of heart-healthy eating.
Making simple changes in your diet can have a significant impact on your heart and your overall health. Here’s how it works.
Why your diet matters for heart health
The main food groups are fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy. Your body needs food from all these groups to function at its best, but some choices are healthier than others.
Processed foods, like fast food, packaged snacks, and commercial bakery products, are often high in saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and sodium, while offering little nutritional value.
Eating a lot of unhealthy foods increases cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. Over time, excess cholesterol builds up in your blood vessels, increasing your risk of cardiovascular conditions such as:
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Heart attack
Stroke
On the other hand, poultry, fish, grass-fed dairy and grass-fed lean beef, whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables are packed with healthy substances your body needs. These healthier options give your body fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients without unhealthy fats and excess sugar and sodium.
What to eat for better heart health
The connections between your diet and your heart health are clear. However, knowing which foods are best isn’t always easy. With our Heart Smart Program at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we’re here to help you learn.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are simple to add to your diet, and they offer lots of heart healthy benefits. Choose berries, like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for their fiber and antioxidants.
Leafy greens, like kale and spinach, are high in vitamin K, nitrates, and other important nutrients. Other heart-healthy veggies include beets, tomatoes, beans, and legumes.
Fatty fish
While many types of fat can hinder heart health, some types of fat are healthier than others. Unsaturated fat and omega-3 fats are two fats that can boost heart health.
Choose fatty fish like salmon and tuna, which have lots of heart-healthy omega-3 fats. A diet that includes omega-3s has been shown to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk of heart disease.
Whole grains
Whole grain foods contain every part of the grain, and they’re packed with fiber. Eating three or more servings of whole grains every day could lower your risk of heart disease by about 22%.
When you’re shopping, look for 100% whole wheat breads, brown rice, oats, and quinoa. Read labels carefully, and avoid products with refined grains or white flour.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts, including walnuts and almonds, are high in fiber and micronutrients. Eating nuts can help lower your risk of heart disease, because they’re linked to lower cholesterol.
Consider adding seeds to your diet too. Chia seeds, flax seeds, and hemp seeds also have fiber, omega-3 fats, and other nutrients to improve heart function and health.
Boosting heart health starts with the foods you eat every day. Want more tips about ways to eat a heart-healthy diet? Contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Most of the time, your heart beats regularly and you don’t notice it. But sometimes, a skip, flutter, or change in heart rate can catch your attention. These irregular heartbeats can happen while you’re active or at rest, and they might make you worry about the health of your heart.
Irregular heartbeats, also called heart palpitations, can be unnerving, but they generally aren’t a sign of something more serious. But if you experience palpitations regularly — or if you have an underlying heart condition — make an appointment to have your heart examined.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute in Newark and Secaucus, New Jersey, have the expertise to diagnose and treat many common heart issues, including heart palpitations.
Understanding heart palpitations
Heart palpitations occur when your heartbeat changes pace. It might feel like a fluttering, a skipped beat, or a pounding sensation. Some people feel palpitations in the chest, while others notice them in their throat or neck.
The way palpitations feel can vary greatly from person to person, but no matter how they feel, many people find them worrisome. The truth is that they’re most often the result of factors not related to your heart, which can include:
Anxiety or stress
Vigorous exercise
Too much caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol
Hormonal changes
Prescription medications
Illicit drugs
Some health conditions can make it more likely that you’ll experience heart palpitations. These include anemia, thyroid disease, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure. Pregnancy can also be a cause of heart palpitations.
When heart palpitations should be checked out
Don’t hesitate to visit our team if you’re concerned about your heart. Unless you have a pre-existing heart condition, most heart palpitations are a rare occurrence. But even if your heart palpitations aren’t a sign of a more serious health issue, getting checked out can help put your mind at ease.
If your heart palpitations are accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or loss of consciousness, seek immediate medical attention. If you have a known heart condition, such as a prior heart attack, heart disease, or coronary artery disease, seeking care for heart palpitations can help your heart stay strong.
Heart palpitations generally happen quickly, and the irregular heartbeat is gone by the time you come in to the office. Consider keeping notes when you experience a palpitation, and come to your appointment prepared to talk about your symptoms.
The doctor performs a physical exam and listens to your heartbeat. If your heart palpitations are caused by a murmur, he can detect irregular sounds and potential issues with your heart’s valves through this exam.
We may recommend additional testing depending on your symptoms and medical history. A blood test can evaluate the possibility of thyroid imbalance, low potassium, or anemia. Another common test to evaluate heart palpitations is an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Once we determine the cause of your heart palpitations, we can prescribe treatment to help your heartbeat stay normal. In many cases, lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and getting more sleep can lead to significant improvements in your heart health.
Find top-quality care for your heart at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. If you’re concerned about heart palpitations, call one of our offices today or book an appointment online.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Your circulatory system contains nearly 60,000 miles of arteries and veins. Arteries transport blood from your heart throughout your body, and veins transport blood back to your heart again with every heartbeat.
Healthy veins are usually invisible, but certain venous conditions can make veins swell and become more noticeable under your skin. In fact, nearly one in four American adults has varicose veins, the most common venous condition in the country.
Varicose veins are large, twisted veins, and they’re most common in your legs and ankles. While they’re also a cosmetic concern, severe varicose veins can compromise blood circulation in your legs.
The good news is that treatment can help. As a heart specialist, Kunal Patel, MD, also diagnoses and treats venous issues like varicose veins. If you’re concerned about varicose veins, our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute is here to help you understand your treatment options.
Lifestyle changes for varicose veins
Not all varicose veins cause symptoms. But some people do experience bothersome symptoms that can include swelling, pain, itching, and muscle cramps.
Whether or not you experience symptoms, varicose veins can be unsightly and embarrassing. If you come to NJ Cardiovascular Institute for vein care, we start with a comprehensive exam and discuss your medical history and your symptoms.
Many people find that the appearance of their varicose veins diminishes and symptoms subside with a combination of lifestyle changes for varicose veins.
Dr. Patel may suggest conservative treatments like:
Avoiding foods high in salt
Elevating your legs when you rest
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Wearing compression stockings
These treatments can improve blood flow to and from your legs, reduce water retention in your body, and help minimize swelling in your veins. Even if you don’t have bothersome varicose veins right now, these habits can also help you prevent varicose veins from developing later on.
Radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins
If conservative treatment and lifestyle changes don’t make a difference for your varicose veins, you’re not out of options. Talk to Dr. Patel to find out if you’re a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat your varicose veins.
RFA is a safe and effective treatment for many people with varicose veins. It’s a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that we do in our office, and little to no downtime is required.
During RFA, Dr. Patel inserts a thin tube into the affected vein and uses an electrical current to gently heat it. The heat permanently damages the vein, and blood stops flowing into it. The entire process generally takes less than an hour.
You may need to wear a compression garment for about a week after RFA. In the weeks following your procedure, the varicose vein will fade from view and your symptoms should subside.
You don’t have to live with embarrassing or uncomfortable varicose veins. With offices in Lakewood, Newark, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute is here to help. Schedule a vein consultation over the phone or send us a message online today.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Do you have twisted, puffy, discolored veins on your legs or feet? You’re not alone — almost 25% of American adults have varicose veins — but you don’t have to live with them.
Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular conditions, and they form when the valves inside veins malfunction and become less efficient at sending blood back to your heart. Blood gets trapped in your veins and pools, creating raised, enlarged veins that are visible under the surface of your skin.
These veins can be embarrassing, but they can also cause painful symptoms. If you’re bothered by varicose veins, schedule a vein assessment with Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. We offer ultrasound for diagnostic imaging as well as personalized treatment for people with varicose veins.
Preparing for your varicose vein assessment
Your varicose vein appointment starts with an exam. We look at your legs while you’re sitting or standing to locate visible varicose veins, and we talk with you about your symptoms.
For many people, varicose veins are primarily a cosmetic concern, but don’t hesitate to bring up any other symptoms you’re experiencing at your appointment.
Along with visible, unsightly veins, other possible symptoms include:
Feeling of heaviness in legs
Aching sensation in legs
Swelling
Burning or cramping pain
Pain with long periods of sitting
Pain with extended periods of standing
Itching near a vein
Skin discoloration around a vein
We review your symptoms and your medical history to determine the extent of your condition. Depending on the severity of your varicose veins and other symptoms, we might recommend additional diagnostic testing with ultrasound.
Getting an ultrasound for varicose veins
Ultrasound testing helps us confirm your varicose vein diagnosis and rule out other vascular disorders. Sometimes, symptoms like leg pain and heaviness are due to other vascular conditions, like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and ultrasound allows us to give you an accurate diagnosis.
A vascular ultrasound is a noninvasive test that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of tissues inside your body. You don’t have to do anything to prepare for the test, and we perform it right in the office.
We apply a gel to your legs or feet, wherever the varicose veins are located. The technician gently guides the ultrasound device over your varicose veins, and the test shows how the valves in your veins are working.
If additional testing is needed, we may perform a Doppler ultrasound to see blood flowing through your veins. Duplex ultrasound combines both regular and Doppler ultrasound to give our team a comprehensive look at your vein health.
You don’t have to live with varicose veins. Find out more about your condition with a diagnostic ultrasound at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, and get a treatment plan that’s right for you. Contact us while you’re online, or call the nearest office — in Newark, Secaucus, or Paramus, New Jersey — for a consultation.
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