Chronic Angina Therapy - EECP Enhanced External Counter Pulsation

The number of people suffering from angina is increasing day by day. Angina is the name given to tightness or pain in the chest behind the breastbone. It is mainly caused by the blockage of the arteries due to accumulation of fats and plaques. The walls of arteries lead to blockage in the flow of blood and formation of clots. If not treated on time and with care, it can cause severe problems leading to heart diseases and eventually death.

There are various treatments for angina. However, for some people the standard methods of treatment do not work and they become severely restricted in their activities. For such people other forms of therapies have been introduced, one such therapy is EECP - Enhanced External Counter Pulsation.

EECP – Enhanced External Counter Pulsation

EECP is a mechanical procedure in which the patient’s legs and calves are wrapped by inflatable cuffs like that of a blood pressure device. During the time in which patient lies on a bed, the leg cuffs are inflated and deflated with each heartbeat.

This procedure is carried out with help of a computer that triggers off the ECG so that the deflated cuffs inflate with the heartbeat in a sequence which pumps the blood upwards towards the heart. This is done to help regulate the flow of blood in the body.

The EECP therapy gently yet precisely compresses the blood vessels in the lower parts of the body thereby increasing the flow of blood to the heart. The waves of pressure are timed with the heartbeat so the increased flow reaches the heart at the moment it relaxes; when the heart pumps again the pressure is released. Thus, it helps in pumping of the blood from heart.

It also helps in opening some of the blood vessels to open small channels that become extra braches and help in passage of blood by becoming natural bypass.

Who Needs EECP

People who are prime candidates for EECP are those who:

• Have a chronic stable angina
• Do not get the required amount of relief by taking nitrate tablets
• Cannot go for other forms of treatment such as surgery or angioplasty

Advantages of EECP

• It is very effective in treating chronic stable angina
• It improves the symptoms of angina and produces exercise tolerance
• It is also helpful after surgery or treatment

EECP benefits the heart in two ways; first the pumping action of the leg cuffs increases the blood flow to the coronary arteries. With each heartbeat, the inflation of the cuffs helps more blood to flow in the arteries. This immensely helps with the angina symptoms.

Second, with the beating of the heart, EECP deflates the cuffs and creates a vacuum like action that reduces the work of heart muscles and leads to enhanced and smooth blood flow in the arteries.

EECP is very effective in treating angina pain as it helps in the circulation of blood without any surgery or extensive treatment. It decreases the frequency and intensity of angina while at the same time reduces the need for medicines. EECP also increases your ability to exercise and gives you more energy and strength to carry out your daily routine activities.