Enhanced External Counter Pulsation.
EECP is one of the most cost-effective treatments with no surgical procedure. It helps patients with their angina and most of them have experienced positive results such as:
A big yes to that. EECP therapy is approved by the FDA and the Government of India as a treatment for congestive heart failure.
EECP is a comfortable outpatient treatment. At first, you may feel pressure coming from the cuff tied around your legs and buttocks. However, once you get accustomed, the rest of the session and the treatment is pretty comfortable.
According to the International EECP Patient Registry (IEPR), to complete the course the patients must undergo 35 hours of treatment. These 35 hours are divided into 35 sessions of 1 hour each per day.
You must make it to all of your appointments on time, however, if you miss any of your appointments, it will not affect the overall treatment. You can simply consult with your doctor/physician to book another appointment.
As such there are no significant risks involved with this treatment. However, sometimes patients might experience a little discomfort or mild skin irritation due to the equipment cuffs, blisters, bruises, fatigue, tingling, muscle discomfort, joint discomfort, Edema, pressure sores, or numbness.
The response to the treatment varies from patient to patient. As the treatment is known as passive exercise, usually the patients feel tired in the first few sessions. This is very normal, especially if you are not used to working out.
It is best if you consult with your healthcare provider regarding exercising and working out during the treatment. The doctor will advise you on whether or not you should work out and how much.
Several indications will tell you about your improved situation such as:
It is advisable that you speak with your healthcare provider regarding whether or not you qualify for EECP. Usually, EECP is not recommended for people who:
As a muscular organ, the heart has two pumps that are divided into an upper chamber (atrium) and lower chamber (ventricle). These chambers are linked by passageways with valves to ensure blood flow in one direction. The lower left ventricle works the hardest, pumping blood into the body through the aorta, the largest artery in the body. In turn, this chamber of the heart has the greatest need for oxygenated blood. The blood’s cycle through the body begins when oxygen-depleted blood returns to the heart, entering the upper right atrium via the largest veins (venae cavea). Blood passes through a valve from the right atrium to the lower right ventricle. The blood is then pumped through the pulmonary artery into the lungs where it receives oxygen. Freshly oxygenated blood then flows from the lungs through the pulmonary veins into the left atrium and then into the left ventricle. From the left ventricle, blood is pumped through the aorta to supply the body.
Angina occurs when the heart needs more oxygen from the blood. Physical activity often triggers angina. Other triggers include emotional stress, extreme cold or heat, heavy meals, alcohol, and cigarette smoking.
EECP Flow Therapy treatments may be used to treat any patient with chronic unstable angina, but it is usually reserved for patients taking medication that is losing its effectiveness.
Angina restricts the activities of many patients. They are able to walk, but not uphill, and not carrying packages. For some patients, angina is disabling, interfering with their ability to work or engage in various activities.
Doctors recommend controlling the risk factors that contribute to underlying coronary artery disease. These risk factors include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, and obesity.
Angina is usually controlled by medication. This medication helps increase the supply of oxygen to the oxygen-deprived heart muscle by dilating coronary vessels or decreasing the demand for oxygen. Unfortunately, in most patients, medication becomes less effective over time.
