Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) may be one of the best, yet least known, treatments for heart disease. Education on the process and effectiveness of EECP is greatly needed.
This treatment is noninvasive and benefits the body by mimicking the effects of exercise. EECP is thought to benefit the heart in particular through the stimulation of what are called collateral vessels [Source: Am Heart]. This means that the body will actually build its own new vessels around blocked parts of arteries to allow greater blood flow. By increasing blood flow to the heart muscles, patients can imporove heart disease, chest pain and even congestive heart failure. Traditional medicine has typically turned to bypass surgery or the use of stents to correct blockage of the heart arteries. These therapies can be successful, but can also present significant risk. Bypass surgery and angioplasty are costly. Our national medical model will not be able to support itself at the rate it's currently escalating. Sadly, in the near future, many patients may lose access to more expensive procedures. The need for cost effective therapies is ever present, especially for a prominent killer like heart disease.
EECP is administered by having the patient relax on a comfortable table with their legs on pads that extend from the calves to the thighs. These pads will compress and release in a sequence that stimulates exercise. The treatment takes approximately one hour, and is repeated over a series of visits. Many insurance carriers, including Medicare, cover EECP. Patients typically tolerate the procedure very well.
EECP is not an “alternative” treatment. In fact, it's FDA approved for the treatment of coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain due to heart disease) and heart failure. Its documented success for angina is comparable to plain stents used in angioplasty [Source: Michaels, Holubkov]. EECP improves heart disease as well as general quality of life [Source: Michaels]. All this and it presents cost savings and lower risk. As EECP grows in popularity, doctors may be able to treat patients who are not able to tolerate surgery or those with earlier signs of heart disease who might not need the more invasive procedures. This is not to say that EECP will replace stents or bypass surgery, but it will lessen the tremendous financial burden on our medical system.
There are some restrictions. Patients with poorly controlled heart failure, poor blood pressure or very irregular heart rhythms may not qualify for treatment. Strong blood thinners like Coumadin and aortic aneurysm can also disqualify patients, though this is determined on a case-by-case basis. Significant disease of the blood vessels in the legs might also be a contraindication.
One of the biggest hurdles is the lack of knowledge regarding EECP. The following resources provide more information:
- International EECP Patient Registry
- Dr. Debra Braverman, experienced practitioner of EECP who wrote Heal Your Heart with EECP - The First Comprehensive Guide to Enhanced External Counterpulsation. Log on bravermancenters.com.
- The Life Extension Foundation, June 2008 issue, article by Dale Kiefer.
