EECP therapy—An Effective Natural Alternative To Heart Bypass Surgery

When the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart get blocked, it causes the following problems:

• Severe chest pain
• Shortness of breath when at rest
• Excessive Shortness of breath while walking
• Tiredness

Usually, physicians treat coronary artery blockages with medicines, angioplasty, and stent or bypass surgery. Though there have been advancements in these treatments, certain problems still persist as far as chest pain treatment is concerned. If the blood flow restored in the blocked area fails, it can cause angina. 

Thus, effective treatment therapy is required to decrease chest pain and improve the patient’s quality of life without using any complicated invasive treatment procedures. Our EECP treatment in Pune is considered to be the most natural and effective alternative to these procedures, which is non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical.

What is EECP Therapy & How Does It Work?

EECP or Enhanced External Counter Pulsation is a treatment given to patients who suffer from poor functioning of the heart and chest pain. It is an outpatient treatment and is considered safe for managing heart failure symptoms and angina symptoms.

In this treatment, the patient is laid on a comfortable treatment table and large pressure cuffs wrapped around the calves, thighs, and buttocks. The cuffs are connected to the EECP machine that causes periodic deflation and inflation of the cuffs in sync with the patient’s heartbeats. 

The timing between the heartbeats is set with a continuous ECG or Electro Cardiogram, which enables the cuffs to inflate when the heart is at rest. It helps the heart get its normal supply of oxygen and blood. The cuffs deflate at the end of the rest period and just before the next heartbeat. 

The oxygen level in the patient’s blood is checked with the help of special sensors which are applied to the fingers. These sensors also monitor the pressure waves that are created by the inflations and deflations of the cuff. 

The EECP therapy expands the network of tiny blood vessels or capillaries around the heart, dilates coronary blood vessels, opens dormant or unused collateral levels, and helps develop new pathways around the blocked arteries. This results in an increase in blood circulation and normal blood flow to the heart muscles.

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For The EECP Therapy?

EECP therapy can be opting for by people of any age and gender with few contraindications. It is a US FDA-approved therapy found to meet all international medical standards for patient safety.

It is ideal for patients who cannot opt for bypass or angioplasty due to other health conditions or simply don’t want to have surgery. Patients who have already undergone angioplasty or surgery without any relief can also choose EECP therapy.

However, patients with aortic valve leakage, PDA, varicose veins, leg ulcers, etc., may not be allowed to have this treatment. 

What are the Benefits of EECP Therapy Over Bypass Surgery & Angioplasty?

EECP therapy is a simple, safe, and non-invasive risk-free treatment. It is considered to be an effective treatment over bypass and angioplasty surgeries for the following reasons:

• It is very cost-effective as it does not involve surgery and hospital stay
• It has virtually no side effects as therapy does not introduce any elements into the body
• It results in fewer or no angina episodes with significantly reduced pain
• It reduces the dependency on anti-angina medications 
• It costs almost half of what an average bypass and angioplasty charges
• It makes the patient more energetic to participate in an active lifestyle
• It enables the patient to walk more distances without experiencing breathlessness or chest pain
• According to studies, a patient who completes 35 hours of EECP therapy may experience relief which may last up to three years.
• Combined with regular exercise, diet control, and monitoring of BP, diabetes, and cholesterol levels, its results can last for a lifetime.

What is the total duration of the EECP treatment?

EECP therapy is given in a total of 35 sessions divided into an hourly session per day for five or six days a week. It can also be performed twice a day based on the patient’s health and preferences.

If the patient misses any treatment session, the doctors adjust the sessions accordingly to enable the completion of the 35-hour treatment course. The total duration of your EECP treatment in Pune at our centre will range between 3 to 6 weeks.

What Precautions & Measures Are To Be Followed After EECP Therapy?

EECP helps revive dormant blood vessels and open up new pathways for healthy blood circulation. But it is more important to prevent any obstructions in these vessels after the treatment course. To sustain these results, you must follow these lifestyle measures:

• Exercise regularly
• Avoid Smoking and alcohol consumption 
• Follow a healthy diet with a balanced amount of essential fats, fibres, proteins, and other nutrients. 
• Manage your weight and maintain a healthy BMI
• Take regular follow-ups with a cardiologist

Is EECP Therapy a Substitute To Heart Bypass Surgery?

The doctors consider this therapy as a comfortable, non-invasive, and safe treatment therapy and have named it ‘natural bypass.’ In 2002, it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). 

Though it is not a substitute for every case of cardiovascular blockages, it can treat most of those cases with more than a 75% success rate. Besides bypass, EECP also benefits patients with other cardiovascular problems like chest pain, coronary artery blockage, hypertension, and heart failure.

Afterword

After completing the EECP course, you will experience an increase in your energy levels with reduced breathlessness and angina. EECP is recognized internationally and is provided by many leading hospitals worldwide. Poona Preventive Cardiology Center offers EECP treatment in Pune as an effective natural alternative treatment to heart bypass surgery.