What is EECP Therapy?
For people with angina, or chest tightness, simple activities, such as going to the mailbox or walking the dog, can be challenging. If you are one of these people or know someone who is, take heart. There is a non-invasive treatment called EECP® Therapy available here at Upland Hills Health.
EECP® Therapy is an outpatient treatment for angina. Treatments are usually given for an hour each day, five days a week, for a total of 35 hours. During the treatment, you lie on a comfortable treatment table with large blood pressure-like cuffs wrapped around your legs and waist. These cuffs inflate and deflate at specific times between your heartbeats. A continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to set the timing so the cuffs inflate while the heart is at rest when it normally gets its supply of blood and oxygen. The cuffs deflate at the end of that rest period, just before the next heartbeat.
The special sensor applied to your finger checks the oxygen level in your blood and monitors the pressure waves created by the cuff inflations and deflations. Approximately 80% of patients who completed the 35-hour course of EECP® Therapy experience significant symptom relief that may last up to three years. Since installing our EECP treatment table at UHH, over 80 patients have benefited from this unique therapy option. Only seven hospitals in Wisconsin provide this therapy.
How it Works?
EECP® Therapy works by increasing the blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle and decreasing the amount of work the heart has to do to pump blood to the rest of the body.
Who is Eligible?
You may be a candidate for EECP® Therapy if
– You have angina, chest pain, and/or heart failure
– Your heart medications no longer relieve your angina or heart failure symptoms
– You have had open-heart (bypass) surgery, balloon angioplasty or stent, or other invasive procedures, and your symptoms have returned
– You have been told you cannot have another bypass surgery, balloon angioplasty or stent, or other invasive procedures
– You have chosen not to have any further surgery, angioplasties, or invasive procedures
– You do not have any other medical conditions that may prevent you from having EECP® Therapy
How can I start EECP Therapy?
You will need a referral from your doctor to start EECP therapy. Make an appointment to discuss EECP with your provider. If you have more questions about EECP therapy, visit http://www.eecp.com or call our Heart, Lung, and Sleep Center at 930-7160. Referring providers can fax to 608.930.7253.
