Winter Cardiovascular Challenges: Insights for Healthcare Professionals

By Apex Heart and Vascular

Winter creates a perfect storm for cardiovascular health, with cold weather, seasonal stress, and altered patient habits contributing to an increase in cardiac events. As healthcare providers, recognizing these patterns and integrating recent evidence into your clinical approach can improve outcomes. At Apex Heart and Vascular, we support your efforts by offering cutting-edge diagnostics and collaborative care to complement your practice.

Apex News and Highlights

Welcoming Dr. Rahul Gokhroo, MD, and Dr. Jeremy Oh, DO

We are excited to welcome Dr. Rahul Gokhroo, an expert in minimally invasive endovascular procedures and advanced cardiovascular diagnostics, and Dr. Jeremy Oh, a specialist in stroke prevention and peripheral vascular disease, to our team. Their innovative approaches and expertise further enhance our ability to provide comprehensive cardiovascular care and tackle complex vascular challenges.

Now Seeing Patients in Mountainside, NJ

Exciting News: Now Seeing Patients in Mountainside, NJ

We are proud to announce that Apex Heart and Vascular is now welcoming patients at our newest location:

1216 US-22, Mountainside, NJ 07092

This expansion reflects our unwavering commitment to providing state-of-the-art cardiovascular care to all of NJ. We’re making it easier than ever for patients to access the comprehensive, cutting-edge services they deserve.

Supporting Hudson Regional Hospital

Hudson Regional Hospital recently announced a $100,000 donation to its Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Dr. Anuj Shah, Director of the Lab, joined the celebration to highlight the importance of expanding life-saving cardiac services for underserved communities. This partnership underscores our shared mission to improve access and equity in cardiovascular care.

https://youtu.be/61gwosl-G-o

Winter’s Physiological Impact on Cardiovascular Health

Cold Weather and Cardiovascular Risk

Cold weather amplifies cardiovascular stress through several mechanisms:

1. Vasoconstriction: Reduced temperatures narrow blood vessels, raising blood pressure and myocardial oxygen demand.
   Source: A Circulation (2022) RCT found a 31% increase in myocardial infarctions during winter months, with hypertensive and diabetic patients most affected.
2. Hypercoagulability: Seasonal dehydration and cold-induced stress enhance clotting risks.
   Source: A study in Blood (2023) reported a 22% higher incidence of thrombotic events during winter compared to other seasons.
3. Increased Cardiac Output: Thermogenesis from shivering increases myocardial workload, placing additional strain on patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Atrial Fibrillation and Winter

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) rises sharply in colder months due to heightened sympathetic activity and respiratory infections.

• Source: A Heart Rhythm (2023) study identified a 23% increase in AFib diagnoses during winter, with hospitalizations rising by 18%.

Holiday-Related Cardiovascular Challenges

1. Holiday Heart Syndrome: Holiday Heart Syndrome describes alcohol-induced arrhythmias, particularly AFib, occurring even in healthy individuals.
   Source: A meta-analysis in JACC (2024) found that moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption increased AFib risk by 40%, with even small amounts triggering palpitations in predisposed individuals.

   

2. Sodium Overload and Heart Failure: High-sodium holiday meals can exacerbate hypertension and fluid retention, particularly in patients with heart failure.
   Source: A cohort study in Hypertension (2023) demonstrated that reducing dietary sodium decreased heart failure exacerbations by 24% over six months.
3. Seasonal Depression and Cardiovascular Risk: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is associated with higher cortisol levels, which contribute to hypertension and sympathetic overactivation.
   Source: A review in Cardiovascular Medicine (2024) linked SAD to a 12% increase in adverse cardiovascular events during winter.

Advances in Cardiovascular Care at Apex

1. Cutting-Edge Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatments: At Apex Heart and Vascular, we specialize in minimally invasive interventions to manage Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Our procedures, such as angioplasty and atherectomy, are designed to restore blood flow effectively while minimizing recovery time.
   Evidence-Based Approach: A 2023 RCT published in The Lancet demonstrated that angioplasty offers 50% faster recovery times compared to bypass surgery while achieving comparable limb salvage rates. This underscores the value of minimally invasive options like those we offer at Apex, enabling patients to recover quickly and return to daily activities with improved mobility and quality of life. (Source: The Lancet, 2023.)
   Why Refer to Apex? Our office-based angioplasty suite provides state-of-the-art care in a comfortable outpatient setting, ensuring patients avoid prolonged hospital stays while benefiting from expert vascular intervention.
2. Flu Vaccination and Cardiovascular Protection: At Apex Heart and Vascular, we advocate for flu vaccination as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular care plan, particularly for high-risk patients with CAD, CHF, or PAD. Vaccination not only reduces the risk of respiratory complications but also offers direct cardiovascular benefits.
   Research Insight: A 2024 study in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that flu vaccination reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 26%, with the most significant impact observed in patients with pre-existing heart conditions. (Source: NEJM, 2024.)
   How We Incorporate This: We work closely with primary care providers and cardiologists to integrate flu vaccination into annual care plans for high-risk patients, ensuring holistic protection during flu season.
3. Advanced Cardiac MRI for Early Detection: Cardiac MRI has become an indispensable tool in our diagnostic arsenal at Apex Heart and Vascular, particularly for identifying subclinical cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and other conditions often missed by traditional imaging methods.
   Clinical Validation: A 2023 study in Radiology demonstrated that cardiac MRI has a 96% sensitivity for detecting myocardial injury, far surpassing the accuracy of older imaging techniques like echocardiography. (Source: Radiology, 2023.)
   What This Means for Referring Physicians: By offering access to advanced cardiac imaging, we provide referring physicians with highly detailed diagnostic insights that inform personalized treatment plans. Our collaboration ensures early detection and intervention, which is critical for improving patient outcomes in complex cardiovascular cases.

Collaborating With Apex: A Resource for Physicians

Comprehensive Diagnostics

• Vascular ultrasounds, ABI testing, echocardiograms, and advanced imaging.
• Same-day testing is available for urgent cases.

Innovative Treatment Options

• Minimally invasive PAD interventions.
• Arrhythmia management with advanced catheter ablation.
• Office-based limb salvage procedures for critical limb ischemia.

Seamless Communication

• Dedicated referral lines and regular updates to ensure coordinated care.

Meet the Experts at Apex Heart and Vascular

• Dr. Anuj Shah, M.D., FACC, FSCAI: Focused on minimally invasive vascular interventions and PAD care.
• Dr. Deepak O. Shah, M.D.: Specializes in echocardiography and advanced diagnostic techniques.
• Dr. Kunal Brahmbhatt, M.D., FACC: Expert in coronary and peripheral interventions.
• Dr. Sarina Sachdev, M.D., FACC: Dedicated to women’s cardiovascular health and advanced coronary procedures.
• Dr. Jayant Barai, M.D.: Focused on non-invasive tools for early disease prevention.
• Dr. Jeremy J. Oh, M.D.: Specializes in stroke prevention and peripheral vascular disease management.
• Dr. Rahul Gokhroo, M.D.: Expert in endovascular procedures and advanced cardiovascular diagnostics.

Sources

• Circulation, 2022: “Seasonal Variations in Cardiovascular Events.”
• Heart Rhythm, 2023: “Winter-Associated Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation.”
• JACC, 2024: “Holiday Heart Syndrome: Alcohol and Arrhythmias.”
• Hypertension, 2023: “Dietary Sodium and Heart Failure Outcomes.”
• Blood, 2023: “Thrombotic Events and Seasonal Variations.”
• The Lancet, 2023: “Angioplasty vs. Bypass in PAD.”
• The New England Journal of Medicine, 2024: “Flu Vaccination and Cardiovascular Events.”
• Radiology, 2023: “Cardiac MRI for Myocardial Damage Detection.”
• Cardiovascular Medicine, 2024: “The Impact of Seasonal Depression on Cardiovascular Risk.”

Proudly Serving: Passaic, Hudson, Essex, Union, and Bergen counties.

Referral Line: 973-916-0002

Visit Us: ApexHeartandVascular.com