General Overview

Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) is a treatment for patients with severe angina who are not eligible for angioplasty or by-pass surgery and who have been tried on maximal medical therapy. It is a non-invasive treatment procedure that relieves the patients of symptoms for almost 3 years. EECP is an outpatient, 35-hours course which scales the functioning of the heart.

Enhanced External Counter Pulsation Newark DE

How It’s Done

The treatment cycles are given for an hour each day for five days a week. This is continually practiced for seven weeks. During the treatment, the staff wrap cuffs around your legs and thighs which inflate and deflate according to your heart beats. An electrocardiogram sets the timing for the cuffs to inflate or deflate. The oxygen level of your blood is checked using the sensor which is attached to the patient’s finger which also monitors the pressure waves created by the cuff inflations and deflations.

Any Side Effects?

There are mild side effects of Enhanced External Counter Pulsation. Usually, patients feel fatigued after the treatment but that is a temporary effect. Some additional side effects which may occur are:
  • Mild headache or dizziness
  • Muscle aches
  • Skin irritation
  • Sores on the legs at the site of pressure.
EECP is not recommended for patients who have certain types of valve disease; uncontrolled hypertension, etc. The patients who observe any of these side effects, must immediately contact the doctor.

Next Steps

As in the case of any intervention, whether invasive or not, certain medications and lifestyle changes are required. Some of the lifestyle changes are:
  • Quitting smoking
  • Managing weight
  • Exercising regularly
  • Making dietary changes
  • Following the medication guidelines strictly.

Contact Us

At Heart and Vascular clinic, we deliver expert opinions and perform successful surgeries to cure your heart related problems. We are teamed with professionals who excel in External Counter Pulsation treatments. Please contact us at (302) 338-9444 for further discussion about our services.
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