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When to Consider EECP® Treatment
 
Who is EECP® therapy intended to help?
EECP® is intended to help people who suffer from angina. It is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease.

The majority of patients with angina complain of chest discomfort provoked by mental, physical, or emotional stress. Discomfort can vary widely among patients who report shortness of breath, fatigue, indigestion, faintness, pain in the jaw, and other symptoms.

Previously, the primary treatment options for people suffering from angina were medication and/or invasive procedures such as bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Invasive procedures sometimes fail, pose risks and are very expensive. EECP® therapy provides an alternative for those people who cannot be treated effectively with medication or are unsuitable or are unwilling to undergo invasive procedures.

For many patients, EECP® treatment can provide relief without pain or time for recovery. EECP® treatment can be administered in outpatient sessions. The procedure has little or no risks and is relatively comfortable.

To determine if you are an appropriate candidate for EECP® treatment, you should be evaluated by your cardiologist
Candidates for EECP® treatment include:
  1. Any patients with chronic stable angina
  2. Patients for whom nitrates are not providing adequate relief from angina
  3. Patients who do not qualify as candidates for invasive procedures
  4. Patients who have exhausted invasive treatments without lasting relief of symptoms
  5. Patients who are unwilling to undergo surgery or angioplasty.
  6. Congestive heart failure
You may NOT be a candidate for EECP® treatment if you have any of the following conditions:
  1. Certain heart rhythm abnormalities
  2. Limiting peripheral vascular disease
  3. Severe high blood pressure
  4. Bleeding diathesis
  5. Pregnancy or failure to employ a reliable method of birth control.
Typical course of treatment

A typical course of treatment requires patients to attend one-hour treatment sessions once a day, five days a week, for seven weeks. Many patients have continued working during the course of treatment by scheduling early morning or late afternoon appointments. Some patients may require more than 35 hours of treatment to achieve optimal benefit.

Because each person's condition is unique, there is no predictable point during treatment when you will feel an improvement. Experience has shown, however, that many patients tend to report some improvement in their conditions after as few as 10 or 12 treatment sessions, although it may take longer.