EECP Therapy FAQ
What is EECP therapy?
EECP is an External Enhanced Counter Pulsation, this therapy helps to develop collateral circulation in the heart which helps in supplying the blood and oxygen to the area affected by the major blocked arteries, EECP treatment also helps in improving pumping capacity of the heart significantly.
What is angina?
Angina is a type of chest pain or chest discomfort caused due to reduced blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscles.
What conditions can EECP therapy treat?
Coronary Artery Disease – EECP is a very good alternative to Angioplasty and Bypass treatment for patients with coronary artery diseases.
Angina – EECP is very much helpful in patients with Angina or Heart failure.
Hypertension – EECP treatment helps to control the Blood pressure in Hypertensive patients.
We do have High Blood pressure management (hypertension management) program, Join that to reverse your High Blood Pressure.
Patients with low heart pumping capacity (LOW LVEF). EECP helps to improve pumping capacity of the heart significantly.
In Patients where symptoms like breathlessness or chest pain persists after invasive procedures like angioplasty or Bypass.
Diabetes – EECP helps to control the blood sugar level in diabetic patients.
How does EECP therapy work?
In EECP therapy the pressure is applied to lower extremity through the cuffs which develop the collateral circulation in the heart muscles which help to provide enough oxygen and blood to the heart which was affected due to blocked coronary arteries, eventually when heart muscles get enough of oxygenated blood the function of heart and overall circulation improves.
Who is eligible for EECP therapy?
EECP Therapy is helpful to all the Patients with the symptoms of-
– Chest Pain or Angina (if persists before/after Angioplasty or Bypass)
– Breathlessness or Shortness of breath
– Palpitation
– High BP(Hypertension)
– Diabetes
– Low pumping capacity (Low LVEF)
– Patients with Fatigue
– CAD Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases.
Who should not undergo EECP therapy?
Is EECP therapy a common procedure?
EECP is a US FDA approved therapy, it’s a very well know treatment in United States and its slowly becoming know and common to people many big hospitals like Asian heart institute -Mumbai have EECP treatment available.
What happens during EECP therapy?
During EECP treatment, patient has to lie down on a Machine for one hour, there are 3 cuffs which are tied on the lower extremity, and those cuffs keep on pumping for one hour which causes the development of collateral circulation in the heart muscles.
How long does EECP therapy last?
Every day patient needs to take one hour treatment or he can take morning and evening (two times a day) session, as per patient’s condition number of sessions are decided minimum 35 -50 sessions are required to develop collateral circulation.
How will I feel after EECP therapy?
Patient will be able to walk more distance without chest pain and breathlessness.
Patients would have fewer or no episodes of Angina.
Dosage of medicines can be reduced.
Patient will feel increased energy level, stamina and can participate in their active lifestyle due to improved heart function and circulation.
Can I have EECP therapy more than once?
Once patient completes the advised course of EECP he will start feeling better, he needs to maintain his health with the help of Diet, walk or exercise and medication, patient can go for follow up sessions after 3-5 years as per patient’s requirement for maintaining good health.
What are the advantages of EECP therapy?
EECP is completely non-invasive and safe therapy, it doesn’t require surgery and has no side effect.
Effective – EECP is a best alternative for Bypass and Angioplasty, it has shown wonderful results in many patients with Angina, Coronary Artery diseases, Hypertension, Low heart pumping capacity etc.
No Hospitalisation – It doesn’t require any Hospitalisation; patient has to come every day for one hour and can go home after treatment.
Affordable – EECP is less expensive as compare to other invasive procedures like angioplasty and Bypass surgery. Most of the patients start feeling better after 15 sessions and Benefits of EECP can last several years.
What are the risks or complications of EECP therapy?
EECP is a safe therapy, occasionally few patients experience mild local skin irritation under the areas of cuff which can be reduced by applying extra padding between the cuff and skin.
What is the recovery time from EECP?
It depends on Patient to Patient, usually patient starts feeling better after 15th-25th session, number of sessions required are depend on patient’s health, Some Patients may need 35 sessions and others may need 50 sessions.
Can I be active when I’m receiving EECP therapy?
Patient can follow his daily routine (with the help of medicines) during the entire treatment, Patient can perform his routine activity, needs to come for an hour daily for EECP therapy, during therapy Patient has lie down on Machine with very less or no movement.