What is EECP?
Enhanced External Counterpulsation is an FDA-approved, non-invasive therapy for a heart-healthy future.
EECP is administered with the use of three pairs of external inflatable cuffs that are applied around the lower legs, upper legs and buttocks.
Patients lie on a bed while cuffs on their lower limbs compress in sync with their heartbeat, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the heart, reducing chest pain, and helping the heart function normally. A computer uses the patient’s ECG to control the inflation and deflation of the cuffs.
Video about EECP Therapy
Watch this video as Dr. Minkoff describes EECP therapy.
Contact LifeWorks
727-466-6789
727-451-1010
Friday: 9:00am – 4pm
Clearwater, FL 33756
Become A Patient
"*" indicates required fields
Benefits of EECP
EECP: A Natural Bypass
During EECP, the blood flowing to your heart will naturally bypass arteries with significant plaque and instead enter healthy, non-diseased blood vessels, circumnavigating blockages. In time, these new pathways are reinforced and become lasting routes for blood to reach your heart beyond the blockages. This is why EECP is often referred to as a “natural bypass.”
1. Enhanced Oxygen Supply: By increasing blood flow to the heart, EECP improves the oxygen supply to areas of the heart muscle that may be deprived.
2. Collateral Vessel Formation: EECP promotes the development of new blood vessels, creating natural bypasses around blocked or narrowed arteries.
3. Reduced Workload on the Heart: By improving circulation & oxygen delivery, the heart doesn’t have to work, which can reduce symptoms like chest pain (angina).
4. Overall Circulation Improvement: Better circulation helps alleviate other symptoms associated with poor blood flow, such as fatigue and shortness of breath.
EECP vs Angioplasty with Stents
Current treatment options for CAD include invasive procedures like stents or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). These procedures aim to relieve symptoms but do not cure the condition or prevent heart attacks. EECP offers an effective, non-invasive alternative.
EECP Therapy Testimonials
EECP Helped My Cardio Function*
More Active After EECP*
Thanks for Saving My Life!
Positive Changes with EECP
I Am Breathing Better*
Heart Issues*
I used to have frequent heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat that continued non-stop for hours and even days. It scared me terribly. No cardiologist was able to do…
How We Use EECP
EECP Therapy can successfully treat:
- Heart Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Kidney Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Dementia and Memory Loss
- Neuropathy
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Autoimmune Disease
- Rheumatic Disease
- Hearing Loss
- Vision Impairment
- Vertigo
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Other conditions which can be directly linked to poor circulation, such as chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath.
Try EECP Today!
If you have poor circulation or cardiovascular disease or any of the conditions listed above, then we strongly recommend you consider trying EECP therapy.
It’s safe, non-invasive and you might be able to reduce or even eliminate many of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About EECP Therapy
Can patients with peripheral artery disease have EECP?
Yes. EECP can improve blood flow throughout the body, including the lower extremities. Patients with mild peripheral artery disease may need more than 35 sessions for full benefits.
Does EECP aggravate high blood pressure?
No. EECP can help manage high blood pressure and hypertensive heart disease. Patients with controlled hypertension may undergo EECP, often seeing improvements in their blood pressure during treatment.
How much pressure is applied during EECP?
The cuffs apply 4-6 pounds per square inch (psi), equivalent to 206-360 mmHg, creating a light squeezing sensation similar to a massage.
Why is EECP underutilized?
Many cardiologists lack hands-on experience with EECP, and it is not widely included in medical training programs. There is also limited support for new clinical trials and a demand for more solid clinical data, which contributes to its underutilization.
Can I have EECP if I’ve had bypass surgery, angioplasty, or stents?
Yes. Most of our EECP patients have had procedures like coronary angioplasty with stents (PCI) or CABG surgery. They turn to EECP for recurrent angina and similar symptoms despite other treatments.
Can patients with atrial fibrillation have EECP?
Patients with controlled atrial fibrillation (heart rate below 100 bpm) can have EECP. However, those with uncontrolled or irregular heartbeats should stabilize their heart rate before starting EECP.
Can patients with varicose veins have EECP?
Yes. We use extra padding for comfort in patients with varicose veins. If deep vein thrombosis is suspected, a venous Doppler study should be done before EECP.
Can EECP dislodge plaque and cause a stroke or heart attack?
No. EECP creates alternate routes for blood to flow around blocked arteries, reinforcing these new pathways over time. This natural bypass process prevents dislodging plaque and causing strokes or heart attacks.
Is EECP useful for non-cardiac conditions?
Yes. EECP has been effective for conditions like erectile dysfunction, fluid retention in renal failure, and restless leg syndrome. It also helps with hepatorenal syndrome, syndrome X, and retinal artery occlusion.
Is there an age limit for EECP?
No. We have treated patients ranging from 35 to 86 years old with excellent results.
How long do the benefits of EECP last?
The benefits of EECP extend beyond the treatment period. Patients often report reduced angina and decreased nitrate use long after completing therapy. The exact reasons for these lasting effects are not fully understood, but the benefits can persist for several years.
What happens if a patient misses an EECP session?
Missing a session won’t negatively affect overall treatment. The missed session will be added to the end of the program, ensuring a total of 35 sessions.
History of EECP
The concept of counter-pulsation began in the late 1960s with W.C. Birtwell’s work. He experimented by inserting catheters into the femoral arteries of animals, withdrawing blood during the heart’s contraction phase (systole), and reinjecting it during the relaxation phase (diastole) to reduce artery stress and improve blood flow to the heart. Although effective physiologically, this method was impractical due to significant destruction of red blood cells and other complications.
Later the technique was modernized using a non-invasive approach that achieved better results using mechanical compression techniques.
References
Related Treatments & Conditions
Ozone Therapies
Chelation Therapy
Heart Disease
