Coronary artery disease doesn't announce itself with warning signs. Most professionals feel perfectly healthy, until the day plaque ruptures and triggers a heart attack. By then, it's too late for prevention.
Dr. Arpit Patel's proactive approach detects coronary plaque years before symptoms appear, using advanced diagnostics unavailable in traditional cardiology practices. Experience CAD care designed to prevent cardiac events, not just manage them after they happen.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. It occurs when plaque, a combination of cholesterol, calcium, fat, and other substances, accumulates inside the coronary arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.
CAD develops over decades, silently narrowing your arteries while you go about your daily life. You might exercise regularly, eat reasonably well, and pass annual checkups with "normal" results, all while dangerous plaque quietly builds inside your coronary arteries.
49%
of asymptomatic individuals had coronary plaque when screened with advanced imaging.
(2022 JACC study)
80%
of people with myocardial scars (evidence of previous heart attack) were completely unaware they'd had a cardiac event.
(2015 JAMA study)
Most people with coronary artery disease experience no symptoms until:
A plaque ruptures and forms a blood clot
The clot blocks blood flow to part of the heart muscle
A heart attack occurs, often the first "symptom" of decades-long disease
Most people with coronary artery disease experience no symptoms until:
A plaque ruptures and forms a blood clot
The clot blocks blood flow to part of the heart muscle
A heart attack occurs, often the first "symptom" of decades-long disease
Why Standard Testing Misses Early CAD
Annual Physical Limitations:
Insurance-Based Cardiology Limitations:
Advanced imaging requires symptom onset before approval
By the time insurance approves coronary imaging, disease has often progressed significantly
Stress tests miss disease in 20-30% of cases
What It Is: A rapid, low-dose CT scan that measures calcium deposits in your coronary arteries.
Why It Matters: Your calcium score predicts heart attack risk better than traditional risk calculators. A score of zero means very low near-term risk. Scores above 100 indicate significant plaque burden requiring aggressive intervention.
When We Recommend It: Men over 40 and women over 50 with any CAD risk factors should know their calcium score. It transforms abstract risk into concrete data.
What It Is: Advanced cardiac CT imaging that visualizes your coronary arteries in remarkable detail, revealing both calcified and non-calcified ("soft") plaque.
Why It's Superior: While calcium scores detect calcified plaque, CCTA shows ALL plaque, including dangerous soft plaque that's more likely to rupture and cause heart attacks. Research shows CCTA is more accurate than stress testing for diagnosing coronary disease.
When We Recommend It: High calcium scores, multiple risk factors, or family history of early heart disease warrant CCTA evaluation.
What Traditional Practices Won't Tell You: Most insurance-based cardiologists can't order CCTA until you have symptoms or fail a stress test. Pulse Perfect provides access immediately when clinically appropriate, before symptoms strike.
Advanced Lipid Analysis
What It Is: Comprehensive cholesterol testing that goes far beyond basic panels.
What We Measure:
LDL particle number (LDL-P) – more predictive than LDL cholesterol alone
LDL particle size – small, dense particles are more dangerous
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] – genetic risk factor in 20% of population (standard panels miss this)
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) – superior marker of atherogenic particles
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) – measures arterial inflammation
Why It Matters: Two people with identical total cholesterol can have vastly different CAD risk based on these advanced markers.
Additional Testing Available:
What Sets Pulse Perfect Apart Locally
Evidence-Based Medication Management
When clinically appropriate, medications play a critical role in CAD prevention and treatment:
Statin Therapy: Lower LDL cholesterol and stabilize existing plaque. Decades of research prove statins reduce heart attack and stroke risk by 25-35%.
Antiplatelet Agents: Aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix) to prevent blood clots from forming on plaque.
Blood Pressure Medications: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers to protect vessel walls.
Advanced Lipid Therapies: PCSK9 inhibitors, ezetimibe, or bempedoic acid for resistant high cholesterol or genetic conditions.
Dr. Patel's Approach: We use advanced lipid testing to determine optimal medication intensity, monitor for side effects, and adjust based on your response.
Nutrition – Mediterranean Diet Approach:
Nutrition – Mediterranean Diet Approach:
Abundant vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes
Healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, fatty fish
Limited red meat and processed foods
Proven to reduce heart attack and stroke risk by 30%+
Enhanced with nutrigenomic insights for personalization
Exercise – Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health:
Exercise – Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health:
150 minutes weekly of moderate aerobic activity
2-3 strength training sessions weekly
VO₂ max improvement protocols for longevity
Realistic plans for demanding professional schedules
Sleep Optimization:
Symptoms:
Chest discomfort during exertion that resolves with rest
Shortness of breath with normal activities
Unexplained fatigue limiting daily function
Risk Factors:
Family history of early heart disease
High blood pressure or high cholesterol
Diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome
Current or former smoker
Sedentary lifestyle combined with high-stress profession
Proactive Prevention:
You want to detect CAD before symptoms appear
Your standard doctor says you're "healthy" but you want definitive answers
You want advanced diagnostics beyond annual checkups
Consider a Second Opinion If:
Your diagnosis is unclear or test results are conflicting
You're considering major procedures (stents, bypass surgery)
Your current treatment isn't working or causing side effects
Your cardiologist can't order advanced testing due to insurance restrictions
You want prevention-focused care, not just disease management
Don't wait for chest pain to take your coronary arteries seriously. New Jersey's high-stress professional environment demands proactive CAD prevention that traditional medicine can't provide.
Schedule your comprehensive CAD risk evaluation and discover what standard checkups are missing.
Book Online
Pulse Perfect Location:
216 Stelton Road, Suite E3
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Contact Information:Phone: 908-201-3402Email: dr.arpitpatel@pulseperfectmd.com
