Is there no solution to chest pain (Angina)? Let's learn about EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation)

Do you also experience chest pain when you are a little tired, when you climb a flight of stairs, or when you are a little worried? Isn't it sometimes not enough to take medicine for this? Maybe the doctor said that surgery is not possible. So how difficult is it to live with chest pain like this? So this is about a special treatment method that can be very important for such people, and it is done without surgery. We call this EECP.

Simply put, what is EECP?

The full name of EECP is Enhanced External Counterpulsation . This is a very safe treatment method that has even been approved by institutions like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Simply put, this is a non-surgical treatment that improves blood flow to the heart by applying external pressure.

Let's first see who needs this. You may have heard of a condition called "Angina". That is, chest pain or pressure that occurs when our heart does not get the right amount of oxygen-rich blood due to narrowing or blockage of blood vessels. This usually occurs when we are tired, exercising, or under stress. We call this 'Chronic Stable Angina' .

So, EECP treatment is often recommended for people who have angina like this, who are not responding well to medication, and who cannot undergo something like bypass surgery.

Okay, how does this treatment work? It's amazing!

The way this works is amazing. Imagine that there is a small blockage somewhere in the pipe that supplies water to your garden, and the water is flowing very slowly. If we squeeze the back of that pipe, the speed of the water increases in front of the blockage, right? The same thing happens with EECP.

During this treatment, you will be made to lie down on a comfortable bed. Then, you will be fitted with large cuffs that apply pressure to your thighs, lower legs, and buttocks. These are similar to the cuffs you wear when taking your blood pressure.

Then, you'll be hooked up to an EKG machine to monitor your heart's function. Now the real work happens.

• Every time your heart relaxes (that is, when it fills with blood), those leg straps rapidly inflate with air.
• This pressure pushes the blood in the legs back toward the heart, which in turn increases the blood flow to the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
• Then, the moment the heart contracts and starts pumping blood , all the air in those belts goes out at once.
• Then the heart can pump blood throughout the body without any hindrance and with less effort.

In this way, these bands inflate and deflate in accordance with the rhythm of your heart. When this continues to happen, something amazing happens. New, small blood vessels begin to form, bypassing the blocked arteries that carry blood to the heart. Just like side roads form on a busy road. We call this a 'natural bypass' . This is the biggest advantage of EECP treatment.

Who is this treatment suitable for and not suitable for?

This is not a treatment that is suitable for everyone. Your doctor will make the final decision as to whether this is right for you. But in general, here's a breakdown of who is and isn't suitable for this treatment.

How does the treatment process work?

This is not something that needs to be done in the hospital. The treatment usually takes about an hour a day. The entire treatment takes 35 hours. That means you have to do this five days a week, for about seven weeks.

Before treatment

The doctor will examine you and do things like an exercise stress test to see if you are suitable for this. Before the treatment starts, you will be made to wear special pants. You will be asked to urinate. Then they will attach EKG straps to your chest and cuffs to your legs.

During treatment

All you have to do is lie down comfortably on the bed. Some people may even fall asleep. As the belts inflate, you will feel a tightening in your legs and buttocks. But it is not painful. You will get used to it after a while. A doctor or a trained person will monitor you for the entire hour.

After treatment

After the one-hour treatment, you can go home as usual. You can continue with your daily activities as usual. Some people may feel a little tired after the treatment. This is normal.

Benefits and risks of EECP treatment

As with any treatment, there are benefits as well as minor side effects.

For many people, the benefits of this treatment last for several years. Sometimes, if symptoms return, another round of treatment may be necessary, as advised by your doctor.

Finally, when should you see a doctor?

If you often experience chest pain when you are stressed or tired, talk to your doctor about it. He or she will examine you and decide whether a treatment like EECP is right for you.

EECP is a successful treatment that has brought new hope and improved quality of life to many people battling heart disease. So don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it.