EECP Treatment for Heart Blockage - The Concept
EECP Treatment for Heart Blockage – God has given us thousands of arteries in the heart.
The three main coronary arteries first give origin to about 10 branches which in turn give rise to 100 branches and the hundreds give thousands of branches. These branches are called Capillaries. They all are connected to each other and can give or receive blood from each other. These channels can be a good source of blood to heart muscles when some of the major or minor arteries get blocked.
If, some how, these channels can open up or made broader, the deprived heart muscles can get adequate blood supply. This can be called a Natural Bypass. Scientifically this treatment can be called “Pneumatically Assisted Natural Bypass” or “PAN Bypass.
These natural channels are very much present in sports persons or athletes. As they do a lot of exercises throughout their career, the heart muscle develop these capillaries into broader tubes. Once these tubes are developed the athletes do not get angina even if they develop blockages to the extent of 80-90%. Their heart muscles do not die even if they suffer from a 100% blockage.
How to develop these Natural bypass Channels?
We cannot make a heart patient run like an athlete, nor can we ask them to perform severe exercises because at the slightest exertion they will get angina. But now scientists have designed a new machine which can develop these parallel channels. This machine can artificially increase the flow of blood in the coronary channels by directly increasing the pressure at the root of the coronary arteries. A one-hour treatment with this machine can start opening this parallel artery/ capillary system supplying more blood to the heart muscles. This treatment has to be continued for about thirty to forty sessions to develop the second Natural Channel fully. Thus it can easily replace Surgical Bypass surgery
The advantage of this treatment is that:
- There is no admission to a hospital
- No withdrawal from your work
- No invasion to the body
- Low cost of treatment
- It has no side effects that are there in a surgical treatment for heart diseases.
How is EECP Done?
EECP is conducted on patients lying on a bed wearing a series of pressure cuffs (like large blood pressure cuffs) tied around the calves, thighs and buttocks. Synchronized electronically with the heartbeat, the cuffs inflate and deflate and move the blood from the legs towards the heart.
The increased blood flow is delivered to the heart at the precise moment at the time of its relaxation when blood flow through the coronary vessels is at its peak. When the heart pumps again, the pressure in the cuffs are deflated instantaneously.
Who can benefit from EECP?
The following persons would definitely benefit by this Heart treatment, those Who have coronary heart disease proved by positive TMT, exercise Thallium or Angiography.
- Who are planning for an Angioplasty in the near future.
- Who plan to have a Bypass Surgery in the near future.
- Who already have had an Angioplasty or CABG done. These patients have a risk of reoccurrence of coronary artery blockage.
- Who have reblockages after Bypass Surgery, Angioplasty or Stenting.
- Who have been declared to be unfit for Angioplasty or Bypass Surgery.
- Who have High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).
- Who are over weight.
- Who have a strong family history of heart disease.
- Who have had a Heart Attack in the past.
- Who have Angina pain.
- Who have High Serum Cholesterol levels (more than 200 mg/dl).
- Who have High Serum Triglycerides levels (more than 160 mg/dl) or low.
- HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dl).
- Who have Diabetes or high blood sugar levels.
- Executives Who have high job stresses. This information is meant for coronary heart disease patients Who want to know about their disease & its management.
Shubham2022-06-16A very experienced cardiologist in sector 116. Very soft-spoken. Guide the patients in a very easy way. Have all cardio test facilities like ECG and TMT. One of the best doctors in this area.
Kamal Mishra2022-06-06EECP therapy is the best treatment for heart patients...
Mridula Sharma2021-01-19I took this treatment in 2018 when I was diagnosed with irregular ECG due to ventrical dysfunction and blockage and was suggested by doctors to go for stunt. But then I consulted with Doctor Chandra and Prem Garg. For the diagnosed problem they recommended for the EECP at Cardia Health Care. After taking the therapy my ECG was normal and the problem was cured. Would recommend to everyone to consult and do go EECP instead of stunt.
Yash Vashistha2020-10-16My father took EECP treatment at Cardia Health Care Noida in 2018 and it had a really positive impact on his health. Though he did not have any heart issue, but this treatment has helped him become more energetic and his working capacity has increased significantly.
Sarovar Agro Farms & Biogas Pvt Ltd2020-10-13Excellent therpy for whole body specially for the heart.one must take for rejanuvation of the organs.
surenderpal singla2020-10-13I have EECP therapy recently, and is really useful, it is not limited to heart, it rejuvenates the whole body. As i am Art of living teacher, and believes only in naturopathy's systems to keep my self fit and away from any ailment. Thanks to Cardia health care, by giving me this treatment which rejuvenated me. S P Singla
EECP Frequently Asked Questions
Following types of heart patients suffering from Angina, Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) and other coronary artery diseases benefit from EECP.
- Who suffer even on maximum medicines
- Who are not fit for angioplasty or bypass surgery
- Who do not want angioplasty or bypass surgery
- Who have re-block after angioplasty or bypass surgery
- Cardiogenic shock
There are very few patients who are unable to have EECP. Those who should not be treated include pregnant women, individuals with a severe leakage in their aortic valve requiring surgical repair, and patients with an active blood clot in their leg and umbilical hernia
Patients have symptomatic and clinical relief. There is reduced need for medicines, reduced frequency and intensity of chest pain, increased exercise tolerance, improved sense of well being and overall improvement in quality of life. Patients are able to lead a more active life.
Because each individual’s conditions are unique, there is no specific time when one can expect to feel an improvement. Experience has shown that, patients tends to improve between 10 and 20 treatment sessions, although others do require longer. Results vary from patients to patients.
Yes, the treatment is very safe. EECP is painless and patients only feel like being tightly hugged by the cuffs. patients may read, listen to music, or otherwise relax during therapy.
EECP is internationally recognized by FDA (USA), CE Mark (Europe) etc. EECP is mentioned in medical textbooks. Many articles have been published in the journal of the American College of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Reviews Reports, Mayo Clinical Proc., Clinical Cardiology and Journal of External Counter Pulsation.
Hundreds of thousands of machines are already installed in USA and in China it has almost replaced Bypass Surgery and Angioplasty. In India, the machine is available in most of the big hospitals like Escorts heart Institute, New Delhi, Metro Heart Institute. But the Indian hospitals find this therapy less lucrative and still prefer Angioplasty and Bypass Surgery as they are financially more viable.
EECP causes immediate and sustained increase in heart’s blood supply by:
- Dilating coronary blood vessels
- Opening dormant (Unused) collateral vessels
- Forming new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
- Increase in diastolic pressure
- Increase in coronary perfusion pressure
- Increased venous return
- Increased cardiac output
You are encouraged to come for your EECP treatment every day. However, missing a day will not have a negative effect on your overall results. When you come back, you will simply pick up where you left off, and the missed treatment will be added to the end of your program until you have a total of 35 sessions. Just like exercise, the more consistent you are with your EECP schedule, the better your results will be.
Yes, An irregular heartbeat, including one caused by atrial fibrillation, will not interfere with EECP if the heart rate is controlled and no faster than 100 beats per minute.
EECP treatment is also helpful for people having the following diseases:
- High Blood pressure due to kidney Diseases
- Brain diseases like Cerebral arteriosclerosis/thrombosis/embolism
- Chronic fatigue (Tiredness) Syndrome
Formation of network of tiny blood vessels, which make it possible for blood to detour around blocked or narrow arteries, is called collateral circulation. However the development of collateral circulation is a gradual process and not everyone has the same ability to develop these networks at the rate that will relieve angina. EECP treatment triggers and accelerates this collateral circulation and makes it permanent in every person who receives complete treatment.
You must know that the blood flow to the coronary artery occurs during the phase when the heart muscles relax called the diastole. Blood cannot enter the majority of the arteries during systole as the heart muscles contract during this period making the flow impossible. This machine supplies more blood to the heart muscles during the diastole. It has some pressure systems which are wrapped around the body parts which have extra blood storage. The pressure systems are activated regularly synchronizing in such a way that much more blood reaches the origin of the coronary arteries during every diastole of the heart. Thus the coronary arteries get filled up completely with blood during these periods flushing so much blood in the dormant but stretchable elastic capillaries that they become broad.
In other words, this machine works on the heart arteries in 30 hours opening the arteries much more than the athlete does in 30 years. It is much better than Bypass Surgery or Angioplasty.
The blood flow of the heart muscles is not proportionate to the degree of narrowing in a coronary artery. Angiography is done to see the narrowing in only large coronary vessels.
Markedly improved anteroseptal and interior wall perfusion in post-EECP stress scintigram
It is extremely suitable to identify stenosis which is essential for angiography cannot visualise small arteries like arterioles and capillaries and cannot assess overall blood flow in a particular area of heart. for this purpose, stress thallium and (ICG) impedience cartiography are required. Improvement with EECP has been seen by stress thallium test.
Patient taking EECP treatment has to undergo 42 one hour sessions, once or twice in a day. some Patients may require a second course.
EECP is safe. Occasionally, some patients experience mild skin irritation under the areas of the blood pressure cuffs. Experienced EECP therapists address this irritation by using extra padding to make the patient comfortable. Some patients experience a bit more fatigue at the beginning of their course of treatment, but it usually subsides after the first few sessions. In fact, patients typically feel energized by EECP
EECP is a non-invasive, simple, safe, risk-free and cost effective treatment without surgery or hospital stay. Patient can take this treatment without disturbing his/her daily routine life.
No. Pacemakers and internal defibrillators do not interfere in any way with EECP.
No. Our bodies obey the laws of physics, and one principle law is that fluid will follow the path of least resistance. Atherosclerotic plaques are calcified and hard, and they create an obstruction that detours the blood through alternate routes. During EECP, when your blood is flowing to your heart, it will naturally bypass arteries with plaque and enter healthy, non-diseased around the blockages is a longer trip, but it is a much earlier one. In time, these new pathways are reinforced and become lasting routes for blood to reach your heart beyond the blockages. Every EECP patient has had multiple, serious blockages. No one has ever had a heart attack or a stroke as a result of the treatment.
Yes, EECP can be done after angioplasty or bypass surgery. When the symptoms recurs or where the result of these procedures are inadequate or for additional benefit for a better and more active lifestyle.
EECP results are even better than Bypass and Angioplasty. All these current mode of treatments help the heart by increasing the blood flow to the area of the heart muscle not receiving adequate blood supply. Once the blood supply is increased towards normal the patient’s chest pain will be decreased or eliminated and his exercise tolerance will improve. However, only via EECP hearts natural mechanism of forming new vessel is enhanced which markedly increase the blood supply to the heart muscle. EECP also tends to improve your endothelial cell function that lines your coronary arteries, which determine your chance of getting heart attacks. EECP decrease your heart rate and other Neurohormones, which damage the heart muscles.
For a patient who has an event of Myocardial Infarction or severe coronary blockage, for immediate relief angioplasty/stenting or even bypass surgery is needed as EECP cannot provide immediate relief. But once out of emergent condition, patient should undergo EECP to revitalize ischemic muscle tissue, halt further worsening and avoid further complications of Myocardial Infraction.
Patient should continue taking medication at the regular prescribed dosages throughout the course of treatment and consult with physician as and when needed.
No. Patients on Coumadin are able to undergo EECP treatments safely.
No. In fact, in July 2002 the FDA approved EECP as a treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF). After completion a course of EECP treatment, Patients with CHF typically have less swelling in their legs, less shortness of breath, less fatigue, and often require less diuretic medication
This treatment is famous overseas in western country and more than 90% patients receiving treatments have improved. Most feel better in 15 to 20 sessions of the treatment. EECP benefits last 3 to 7 years or more, depending up on your lifestyle. EECP is so successful, that in USA insurance reimbursement for EECP has gone up by 6% whereas that for other procedures like angioplasty, bypass surgery etc., has decreased by 5%
To prevent the progression of your disease after completion of the treatment you should make life style changes like
- Quitting smoking
- Following heart friendly diet
- Controlling obesity
- Doing Regular exercise
Have regular follow-ups with your cardiologist to lower your cholesterol, to control your blood pressure and diabetes. EECP treatment provides you with new blood vessels. It is up to you to prevent your vessel from developing obstruction again.
Data from the International EECP Patient Registry (IEPR) by the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate school of public health, USA suggest that the reduction in angina following EECP treatment is frequently sustained for up to 2 years post treatment. Patient follow up in many studies suggest that benefits of EECP persist for up to 5 years
At present there are more than 30000 EECP centers all over the world. In India, there are more than 80 centers (80 Machines) providing this treatment including 2 machines at Escorts Heart Institute and research center in New Delhi, Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon and at almost all renowned hospitals.
EECP is not yet included in healthcare policies but the process to include the same is ongoing in the Indian Courts, which would benefit a large group of people.
No, EECP therapy is not yet covered in CGHS
The patient is free to do all kinds of movement while lying on the bed. They can not only talk, but also use their phone. The machine allows the patient sufficient space to navigate their upper body.
A very important part of the EECP treatment is the change in diet and lifestyle that we advise and teach. It involves taking a highly citric based diet including fruits and leafy vegetables.
In order to run an EECP centre, a qualified doctor or cardiologist (heart doctor) is required to keep a regular check on the reports of patients and further advise suitable treatment.
EECP treatment can be given to all kinds of poeople, weak or strong, unless they have had a recent heart episode. A patient is advised to wait at least a month after a heart attack to take this treatment.
Patients can take the Stress Thallium test to ensure that the treatment worked. This test shows whether the heart is receiving proper blood during rest as well as exertion.
According to original research, a minimum of 35 sittings is compulsory for the treatment to properly work. But as per recent studies and our experience in the past 9 years, 42 sittings have proven to give better results.