Advanced Heart & Vascular

01/23/2026

We're so proud of Brianna we had to share!!
Way to go!

NEW JERSEY— What began as a Confirmation service project has now made a meaningful impact far beyond the classroom!Brianna Farrugia, a 12-year-old seventh-grade student at Saint Leo the Great...

01/22/2026

Some advice from our favorite doc...

01/20/2026

01/16/2026

Start the new year right with an InBody 270 scan...
For $35, you have access to information from a $7,000+ machine that provides information that can help you change your health and improve your life.
Quickly measure fat mass, muscle mass, and body water levels. No dunking. No pinching. No discomfort. Simply stand on the device and hold the hand electrodes.
Learn your visceral fat levels, your basal metabolic rate, and your skeletal muscle mass.
Today, let's focus on Visceral Fat...Visceral fat is belly fat found deep within your abdominal cavity. It surrounds important organs, including your stomach, liver, and intestines. It’s different than subcutaneous fat, which is fat just below your skin. Visceral fat is actually more dangerous to your health.
Visceral fat is sometimes called “active fat” because it plays an active role in how your body functions. Too much visceral fat can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Visceral fat is actually easier to lose than subcutaneous fat. This is because it metabolizes quicker and your body can get rid of it as sweat or p*e. If you start regularly exercising and eating a healthy diet, you should start to see results in two to three months.
Wouldn't it be great to know IF your lifestyle changes are working? Start with a baseline...know where you are at...and then we can measure your success every few months. Maybe the scale is't moving the way you want it to...maybe you're not seeing a huge shift in size...but MAYBE you're still losing visceral fat!!! Weight loss is a process. It's a health goal. It's never about the number on the scale. Let us help you learn the RIGHT way to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
We're here to help. Book your scan today and let's get started...together.

01/14/2026

How Winter Weather Can Affect Your Heart

The cold winter weather can be exhilarating and provide an opportunity to enjoy activities that aren’t accessible during the rest of the year. But before you hit the ski slopes, go for a long winter run or shovel your driveway after a big snowstorm, it’s important to understand the ways in which cold weather can impact your heart health.

Cold weather places additional strain on the cardiovascular system by triggering vasoconstriction, raising blood pressure, increasing heart rate and reducing oxygen delivery to the heart. These physiological changes contribute to the higher incidence of winter cardiac events, especially among individuals with pre-existing heart disease, older adults, and those with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or smoking history.

Seasonal factors such as reduced physical activity, weight gain, respiratory infections and circadian rhythm disruptions further elevate risk.

Protecting heart health in winter requires proactive measures including dressing warmly, staying healthy by eating well and getting enough rest, and consulting a cardiologist about individualized precautions.

01/12/2026

We celebrated Kerri’s birthday on Friday….please wish her a wonderful year ahead!!!

01/07/2026

5 Health Habits for 2026
Reachable New Year’s Resolutions

1. Schedule your annual wellness exam. This is your annual opportunity to stay up to date on routine vaccines and preventive screenings, as well as discuss any health concerns with your physician to develop a personalized action plan.

2. Focus on a balanced diet. Embrace vegetables, whole grains, fruits, fish, and lean meats like chicken and turkey. Try to cut back on sugary and processed foods and drinks.

3. Prioritize your mental health. The new year is a great opportunity to find a hobby that helps you unwind. It could be knitting, meditating, doing yoga, reading, or just stepping outside for a walk. Another component of mental wellness is staying connected to loved ones, so use those new calendars to pencil in coffee dates, video chats, and reminders to text someone you care about.

4. Make small changes to move more. 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, divided however works best for your schedule (for example, 30 minutes, five days a week). Little things add up, so opt for a parking spot farther from your destination, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk your dog for an extra block.

5. Improve your sleep environment. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night. Help yourself wind down by avoiding artificial light (from a phone, computer or TV) for 30-60 minutes before bedtime. Keep the room cool, dark and quiet.

01/05/2026

10 Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Optimize Your Heart Health in 2026

Improving your heart health in 2026 starts with simple lifestyle choices you can practice every day. Small, consistent actions build strong, lasting heart health. Remember, we are always here to help!

Whether you’re living with an existing heart condition or simply want to improve your overall well-being, 2026 is the perfect time to recommit to habits that strengthen your heart.

1. A Healthy Diet
What you eat directly affects your blood pressure, inflammation, cholesterol, and weight, all of which play a central role in heart health. A heart-healthy diet is more flexible than many people realize. Rather than strict rules, think about patterns that support long-term wellness.

Aim for plenty of fruits and vegetables, high-fiber whole grains, lean proteins such as fish, poultry, and beans, and healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil. Limit processed foods that are high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

2. Quit Smoking or Va**ng

Smoking damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure, lowers good cholesterol (HDL) and increases clotting risk – all of which contribute to heart disease. Within 20 minutes of quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure improve, reducing strain on the heart. Start today.

3. Lose Weight if You’re Overweight

Even modest weight loss can have a big impact on cardiovascular health. Extra weight, especially around the abdomen, increases strain on your heart and raises your risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.

4. Get More Exercise

Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your heart. Regular exercise helps reduce blood pressure, improve circulation, manage weight and increase good cholesterol. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and two days of muscle-strengthening exercises, like resistance bands or bodyweight workouts.

If you’ve been inactive or have a heart condition, talk with your cardiologist before starting a new routine. Begin slowly and gradually increase intensity. What matters most is consistency.

5. Manage Your Stress

Healthy stress management strategies include deep breathing exercises, meditation or mindfulness practices, journaling, spending time in nature, talking to a therapist, or practicing hobbies you enjoy.

6. Get an Annual Physical

Preventive care plays a major role in long-term heart health. Call us today. Let's see where you're at and let us help you get to where you want to be.

7. Get More Sleep

Sleep is essential for heart health. Poor sleep can raise your blood pressure, increase inflammation, disrupt hormones that affect appetite, and elevate the risk of chronic conditions linked to heart disease. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night.

8. Drink Less Alcohol

While some adults choose to enjoy alcohol socially, moderation is key. General guidance suggests up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. However, drinking less is better for heart health.

9. Reduce Your Sugar Intake

High sugar intake is linked with weight gain, inflammation, and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Many people don’t realize how much added sugar sneaks into everyday foods. Choose water instead of sugary drinks, read nutrition labels, pick whole foods instead of packaged snacks, limit desserts to special occasions.

10. Check Your Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol plays a major role in cardiovascular health, and knowing your numbers is essential.

01/01/2026

Here’s to a happy and healthy year ahead!

12/31/2025

As we prepare to welcome a new year…we encourage you to examine the year that was. Did you achieve all that you hoped to accomplish? If not, what could you do differently in the coming 365 days?

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! Love, the Farrugias

12/23/2025

Our entire staff wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy 2026!