Heart Disease Specialist
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NJ Cardiovascular Institute
Kunal Patel, MD, FACC
Board Certified Cardiologist & Varicose Vein Specialist located in Secaucus, Elizabeth, Paramus, and Lakewood, NJ
Every year, more than 600,000 people in the United States die from heart disease -- that’s one out of every four deaths. In most cases, heart disease is preventable. At NJ Cardiovascular Institute in Elizabeth and Secaucus, New Jersey, board-certified cardiologist Kunal Patel, MD, takes a preventive approach to heart disease and works one on one with you to improve your heart health and reduce your risk of disease and death. For a consultation with a compassionate and proactive cardiologist, call the office nearest you or request an appointment online today.
Heart Disease Q & A
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is an umbrella medical term that includes conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It includes those conditions that you’re born with, as well as those that develop from poor lifestyle choices.
What are the types of heart disease?
There are many conditions that are considered a type of heart disease. Some of the most common include:
Cardiovascular disease
Also known as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease refers to the narrowing of your blood vessels due to the buildup of plaque inside the blood vessel walls. Cardiovascular disease increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Congenital heart defect
Congenital heart defects are often diagnosed at birth and require ongoing care and monitoring.
Arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat that causes your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. An abnormal heartbeat may develop from stress or be a sign of a heart attack.
Valvular heart disease
Valvular heart disease refers to defects or damage in the heart valves that affect blood flow. The damage may be degenerative or the result of an underlying illness.
Aneurysm
An aneurysm refers to a ballooning or widening in the wall of one of your arteries. If an aneurysm ruptures, it’s a medical emergency. Dr. Patel offers aneurysm screenings to monitor your arteries.
As a cardiologist, Dr. Patel provides expert care for all conditions that affect the heart.
What can I do to improve my heart health?
Dr. Patel takes a preventive approach to the management of heart disease. Your heart is a strong muscle responsible for delivering blood and nutrients throughout your entire body. Like the other muscles in your body, you need to feed it well and give it a good workout in order for it to stay in tip-top shape.
Depending on the type of heart disease you have, Dr. Patel may recommend you:
- Eat a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins
- Get regular exercise
- Develop tools to help you handle stress
- Maintain a healthy weight
If you have a health condition that increases your risk of heart disease, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, Dr. Patel provides targeted care to improve those conditions as well.
Heart disease is very common but can be treated and prevented in most cases. For management of your heart health from a compassionate physician, call NJ Cardiovascular Institute or book an appointment online today.
