by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Our hearts beat between 60 and 100 times a minute on average — and more if we're exercising. Doesn't it make sense to make sure your ticker is working as efficiently as possible? A stress test can do just that.
Here at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, with offices located in Secaucus and Newark, New Jersey, board-certified cardiologist Dr. Kunal Patel and our highly trained team can address all of your heart-health concerns. We strongly believe in the power of prevention and conduct diagnostic procedures including stress tests.
A stress test can help you identify heart issues early and prevent more serious complications. Read on to find out how a stress test works, and what to expect.
What is a stress test?
Also called a treadmill test or exercise test, a stress test makes your heart work harder through physical activity. This causes it to need more oxygen and beat faster to pump more blood. During this period of exertion, doctors can more easily diagnose issues with the heart or blood flow that may not be detected during less strenuous activity.
Reasons for a stress test
Stress tests are conducted for a number of reasons, and a medical professional can evaluate if you need one. In general, a stress test can confirm or rule out either of the following:
Coronary artery disease, which typically occurs when the arteries have become damaged by a buildup of cholesterol and plaque deposits
Heart arrhythmias, or problems with the electrical impulses that coordinate your heart rhythm
In addition to helping diagnostically, the test can be used to guide a treatment path. For example, it can determine how well an existing regimen is working or assist in deciding when a valve replacement, heart transplant, or other advanced procedure may be needed.
Stress test procedure
You will be given specific instructions before your stress test. Those may include not eating or drinking before the test, as well as abstaining from smoking and caffeine for a set period of time beforehand. Your medications may need to be modified as well.
Before the in-office test, Dr. Patel conducts a thorough medical history and evaluates your heart and lungs. He then puts a blood pressure cuff around your arm and attaches electrodes to certain areas on your chest and legs.
Next, you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike until your heart rate hits the desired target number. If you experience any discomfort, pain, or shortness of breath, be sure to report it immediately.
The test results provide a unique insight into your heart and help guide your customized treatment plan to maintain or improve your health.
If you want to learn more about the status of your arteries, electrical rhythm, and heart in general, call us at 201-866-7000 or click our “book online” button to make an appointment with Dr. Patel today.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
How much sleep did you get last night? Did you wake up feeling rested and alert? Adults need about 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Unfortunately, 40% of Americans don’t get enough of it.
In today’s world, quality sleep might seem like a luxury — but it’s an essential process that you can’t afford to skip. Lack of sleep makes your brain feel foggy, and even worse, it can have serious effects on your health.
In fact, lack of sleep increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. In turn, these health issues can elevate your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
The good news is that prioritizing sleep can boost your heart health, and it’s easier than you might think. As part of our comprehensive Heart Smart Program, Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute can teach you how to start sleeping better.
Make exercise a habit
Exercise is good for your body and mind, and regular physical activity can also improve your quality of sleep. Strive to get around 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five days a week to sleep more soundly at night.
Exposure to natural daylight also helps regulate your body’s internal clock, so exercising outside offers a handful of benefits. Try taking a walk or biking outside in the morning or afternoon.
Establish a bedtime routine
One of the best ways to improve your quality of sleep is sticking to a regular sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on the weekends.
Establishing bedtime habits can also help you prepare for a better night’s sleep. Avoid eating, drinking, and exercising within a few hours of bedtime. Make time for some self-care, such as taking a warm shower or reading a book.
Avoid artificial blue light as you wind down in the evenings. Consider setting the screens on your devices to warm or nighttime mode or using blue light filters to help prepare your body for more restful sleep.
Create a relaxing sleep environment
The place you sleep is just as important as your nighttime routine. A bright, loud, or messy bedroom can make it harder to fall asleep, while a relaxing environment can make sleep come faster.
Keep your bedroom dark and quiet by eliminating distractions like TVs, computers, and phones. Turn the thermostat down to make the room cooler, and choose soft, comfortable bedding and sleeping clothes. If you’re a light sleeper, a white noise machine can help drown out distractions.
Learn to identify (and treat) sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in the country. If you have it, you stop breathing for short periods of time while you sleep. Untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk of heart conditions, from high blood pressure to heart disease.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea are:
Loud snoring
Insomnia
Morning headaches
Dry mouth in the morning
Daytime sleepiness
If you think you might have sleep apnea, don’t wait to schedule a sleep evaluation. Sleep apnea can be treated to improve your quality of sleep and lower your risk of complications.
When it comes to your heart health, don’t overlook the importance of a good night’s sleep. Contact our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. Contact the office nearest you — in Lakewood, Newark, Paramus, or Secaucus, New Jersey — to set up your first appointment.
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Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease — and it’s the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It isn’t easy to recognize on its own, but partnering with a cardiologist can help you enjoy a longer, healthier life.
Early identification and personalized treatment are some of the best ways to avoid heart disease complications and improve your heart health, and the right care starts with comprehensive diagnostics.
Kunal Patel, MD and our team specialize in heart care at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. We offer stress testing and other diagnostic services to uncover heart problems and get you started on a treatment plan that meets your needs.
When your stress test is scheduled
A stress test is a safe and effective way to evaluate how well your heart functions when it’s working hard. It’s often used to assess possible causes behind symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.
If Dr. Patel and our team suspect you may have a heart condition, a stress test helps us reach a diagnosis. Stress testing can identify conditions like arrhythmias and coronary artery disease, and may even be used to evaluate how well treatment is working.
Be sure to tell us about any medical conditions that could affect your ability to participate in a stress test, such as arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Let us know if you have diabetes, because we may need to monitor your blood glucose during the test.
For accurate results, you may need to stop taking certain medications prior to your stress test. Review all the medications you take with Dr. Patel to find out if you should modify your medication schedule.
On the day of your stress test
Follow our team’s guidelines for preparation as the day of your stress test gets closer. If you’ve been instructed to stop taking certain medications for a period of time before your test, remember to do so.
Dr. Patel may request that you avoid eating for at least three to four hours before your stress test. You may also need to avoid caffeinated beverages and smoking on the day of your test.
You’ll be on a treadmill or stationary bike for up to 15 minutes during your test, so it’s important to wear comfortable clothing and shoes to your appointment. Lightweight, breathable clothes and athletic sneakers are a good choice.
What to expect during your stress test
Most stress test appointments last about an hour, including time to prepare you for the test. When you arrive, we check your vital signs and listen to your heart and lungs. If you’ve had any chest pain leading up to the test, let our team know.
We attach electrodes to your skin so they can monitor your heart function as you exercise. Then you walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike until your heart rate reaches a set target.
Dr. Patel and our team record and review your results. Once your test is complete, we discuss your results with you and use the information to develop a personalized heart health plan for you.
Stress testing is a simple, effective way to better understand your heart health. Find out more by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Patel and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. To make an appointment, contact us through the online booking tool or call one of our offices in Secaucus, Newark, or Paramus, New Jersey.
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Chest pain is a common symptom in the United States. Each year more than eight million Americans visit the ER because of chest pain. It’s the second biggest cause of ER visits.
Our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, which includes board-certified cardiologist Dr. Kunal Patel, knows that chest pain can be scary. But we also know that not all cases of chest pain warrant a trip to the ER. So let’s discuss when you should go to the ER for chest pain.
Common causes of chest pain
While chest pain is a telltale sign of heart problems, it could be from a different medical condition, including:
Panic attack
Gallstones
Pulmonary embolism
Peptic ulcers
Myocarditis
Muscle strains, which cause inflammation in the ribs
Heartburn
Some medical conditions may feel like a heart attack. Myocarditis, for example, has similar symptoms to a heart attack. So, knowing if your chest pain is from a heart attack or other heart conditions is important.
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is a serious condition that can lead to a heart attack. It occurs when your arteries become narrow or blocked by plaque build-up. Long-term high cholesterol often causes coronary artery disease.
The main symptoms of coronary artery disease are chest pain and angina. Angina causes a crushing or squeezing feeling in your chest. It also causes chest pain that can spread to your arms, neck, and jaw. Go to the ER immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Chest pain not caused by heart disease
Chest pain that’s caused by a muscle strain isn’t the same as heart-related pain. It’s likely that your chest pain is not from heart disease if:
It happens with certain movements
It can be pinpointed
Pain occurs with deep breaths
The pain goes away after a few seconds
Never dismiss chest pain — no matter what’s causing it. If your chest pain is severe and it concerns you, go to the ER. Don’t take any chances when it comes to your health.
When to visit the ER for chest pain
You should go to the ER if you experience chest pain along with other symptoms. This usually indicates a heart attack. Call 911 or get to the ER right away if you experience chest pain with:
Shortness of breath
Weakness
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats)
Sweating
Chest pain that moves to include your arms, neck, or jaw
Symptoms last more than five minutes
Angina (squeezing, tightness, or crushing sensation in your chest)
Heart attacks are often fatal and can cause permanent damage to your heart. That’s why if you experience heart attack symptoms, get medical help. The sooner it’s treated, the less damage it does.
Treating your chest pain
As mentioned, not all occurrences of chest pain need emergency medical help. However, it can eventually lead to more serious problems and put you at a greater risk for heart attacks.
Treating your chest pain at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, located in Newark and Secaucus, New Jersey, can prevent serious complications. To set up your appointment with Dr. Patel, use our online booking tool or call the office.
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A heart palpitation is an irregular heartbeat. It may only last a second or two, but it feels different than your heart’s normal rhythm. It can make you become very aware of your heartbeat — and you might begin to worry about your health.
Palpitations are fairly common. In fact, they can be caused by anything from a strenuous workout to an extra cup of coffee. Most palpitations go away on their own, and experiencing the occasional irregular heartbeat doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong with your heart.
That being said, it’s important to listen to your body and know when it’s time to make a doctor’s appointment. Palpitations can sometimes be a sign of arrhythmia, a chronic heart condition that requires close monitoring.
Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in diagnosing palpitations and treating chronic arrhythmias. If you’re concerned about your heart, here’s what you should know about heart palpitations and what could be causing them.
Palpitations: a sign of a heart arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia is a heart condition that develops when your heart beats irregularly, too slowly, or too quickly. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, or Afib.
On its own, Afib generally isn’t life-threatening. However, having Afib increases your risk of blood clots, heart failure, stroke, and other heart conditions.
Experiencing heart palpitations doesn’t always mean you have an underlying heart condition, and it’s important to learn the differences so you can get the care you need.
Identifying harmless palpitations
Harmless heart palpitations happen once in a while, and they can usually be traced to a clear trigger. These triggers often include:
Caffeine or other stimulants
Hormonal changes
Strenuous exercise
Stress or other mental health issues
In these cases, palpitations are generally short-lived and infrequent.
Recognizing the signs of a more serious issue
On the other hand, the cause of palpitations from arrhythmia and Afib may not be so easy to identify. Your palpitations may be a sign of an underlying heart condition if you have:
Chest pain
Fainting or lightheadedness
Frequent or worsening palpitations
Resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute
Risk factors for heart disease
Shortness of breath
If these symptoms sound familiar, you may have an underlying heart condition, and you should make a cardiology appointment for further evaluation.
Seeking treatment for heart palpitations
Experiencing heart palpitations can be scary. If you're concerned about your heart health, never hesitate to make a doctor’s appointment. Dr. Patel and our team offer comprehensive heart evaluations, and we can identify any potential issues so you can get the care you need.
We start with a thorough review of your medical history and a physical exam. Depending on your symptoms, we may order a stress test or an echocardiogram to gather more details about how your heart functions.
Heart palpitations are often so brief that it’s difficult to catch them in a single doctor’s appointment. To reach a diagnosis, we may have you wear a heart monitor for a few days or weeks to evaluate any recurring irregularities.
If you have Afib or another type of arrhythmia, identifying the condition gives you the opportunity to manage it. We offer ongoing heart care and personalized treatment plans to help you better protect your health.
Concerned about irregular heartbeats? Book an appointment with our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute to ease your mind. Call one of our offices in Lakewood, Newark, Paramus, or Secaucus, New Jersey, or send us a message online now.
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by NJ Cardiovascular Institute | Aug 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout your body and fueling your muscles, organs, and tissues with oxygen. Comprised of muscle tissue with four chambers and valves, your heart also relies on its internal electrical system and a complex system of blood vessels. Problems with any part of your heart could put your life at risk.
“Heart disease” is a broad term used to describe a variety of different diseases that affect your heart, and it's the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease, but it’s not the only heart problem that poses health risks.
Your heart health is at the center of your overall well-being. At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, Kunal Patel, MD, and our cardiac specialists are proud to offer the latest in diagnostic technology and heart care to keep you enjoying life for years to come.
Of all the diagnostic tools available to doctors, the echocardiogram is a popular and effective test to evaluate heart health. It’s completely noninvasive, and it gives us an inside look at how well your heart functions so we can recommend the right care for you.
An echocardiogram is a powerful diagnostic tool
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to create images of your heart. The test is noninvasive and painless, and it’s an essential diagnostic tool in heart care.
Dr. Patel may recommend an echocardiogram if he suspects you could have a heart problem. An echocardiogram allows us to evaluate the size and structure of your heart, and when paired with Doppler ultrasound, shows more information about how blood flows through your heart.
An echocardiogram can be used to help diagnose problems with valves or chambers, and to uncover the cause behind symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. It can also detect congenital heart defects.
How an echocardiogram works
At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we perform echocardiograms in the comfort of our office. In most cases, there’s nothing special you need to do to prepare for your test.
An echocardiogram takes about 40 minutes from start to finish. You remove your shirt and lie down on the exam table, where our team prepares you for the test by attaching electrodes to your chest.
We apply a gel to your chest and guide the ultrasound wand over your skin. The ultrasound technology sends sound waves into your chest that bounce off your internal organs and generate images of your heart in motion, sending them to a computer monitor. Our team views the images and uses our findings to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Using an echocardiogram in your routine care plan
Depending on the results of your diagnostic testing, our team works with you to create a heart care plan that meets your needs. If you have a heart problem, we may suggest enrolling in our Heart Smart Program, which is a comprehensive heart care program including medication management and lifestyle changes.
Once you start treatment for your heart condition, expect to have echocardiograms at regular intervals. There are no risks to standard echocardiogram testing, making it a great addition to your heart care plan.
Getting echocardiograms as part of your routine care gives us the ability to monitor your cardiac health and identify any changes. We may also use echocardiogram testing to evaluate how well your cardiac treatment is working. Seeing how your heart responds to treatment allows us to adjust your plan as necessary to help you achieve your best possible health.
We provide comprehensive, ongoing heart care at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. To learn more about what you can do to keep your heart healthy, schedule a consultation with our team. We have three offices in Secaucus, Paramus, and Newark, New Jersey. Call the office nearest you, send us a message, or book your visit online now.
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