Understanding the difference between ECP & EECP treatment

It needs to be understood that ECP and EECP therapy are actually not two various treatments. This is something that can be considered to be a wrong notion. Understanding the difference between EECP and ECP can really help the person to know more about the therapy and how it can benefit the patient. ECP and EECP therapy are rather similar mechanical functions that inflate pneumatic cuffs in mechanical sequence that starts at the thighs, calves and the buttocks to check the heart rate of the patient. ECP and EECP therapies are rather both External Counterpulsation forms. Both of them are sure to help the patient, with the difference just being how it is carried out.

EECP is said to be ‘enhanced’ in regards to brand only, since all cleared devices present in the market tend to function in similar format like the EECP trademarked brand systems. Every External Counterpulsation Therapy tool (whether ECP or EECP brand) tend to inflate pneumatic (air) cuffs present in sequential manner (calf, thigh and buttocks). Hence, two prominent players in External Counterpulsation Therapy domain (Vasomedical and ACS) do use similar compressor (pump) in terms of multiple model (ECP or EECP) units for generating pressure to deliver it to every extremity that arises during the treatment. At the same time, External Counterpulsation Therapy undoubtedly isn’t complicated science. The delivery/timing is much more dependent on therapist who administers the treatment rather than the device and the patient.
 

Is EECP therapy much more effective than that of ECP therapy?

Like mentioned before, patient outcomes for ECP and EECP therapy are completely dependent on few variables. Here patient physiology is termed to be the key. One needs to think of ordinary physics. Patients having bigger vasculature have significant changes present in blood flow. Patients having less vasculature for squeezing would generate very less blood flow. Researches have indicated that increase in flow (pressure) during diastole is rather the main factor to have effective treatment. In case, less blood volume is available for squeezing, then how it is possible to achieve higher pressure (flow) levels during diastole?

Treatment efficiency is another considerable variable. In case, administration of ECP or EECP therapy treatment is to remain constant, then the question that could be asked is, ‘would it be possible to have variation in the outcomes of the patient?’ The answer is obviously a big ‘Yes’!

A critical factor to have effective treatment is the pressure amount that is delivered to every patient, along with deflation and inflation timing that is delivered to patient over treatment session comprising of 35 hours. 

Such variables are significant towards the outcomes of the patient, instead of what the system is used for. As a matter of fact, most tend to dispute that more than EECP technology, it is ECP technology that is much more efficient due to the reason that its user interface offers empirical data (which is minute by minute) which is considered to be critical to optimize treatment variables, if deflation / inflation and pressure timing.

What Are the Guidelines for EECP Treatment

EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation) is an excellent therapy to treat patients with heart diseases and other heart related problems. It is a procedure that doesn’t require any hospitalization, and hence, is cost effective from all aspects. This treatment is an ideal for all kinds of people including

·         Heart patients who have taken bypass surgeries and angioplasty and have pain

·         Patients who are not willing to undergo surgery

·         People who do not have conditions fit for surgery due to diabetes

·         People who have improper functioning of heart

·         Elderly people who look for a painless procedure for treatment

·         People who wish to be active always despite their attempts to gain good health

Guidelines to Check Out

Any treatment has a procedure and so is EECP. EECP patient guidelines for hearttreatment have to be looked up by patients to achieve the best results. Taking proper treatment can bring in changes in routine practices and lifestyle and one has to know all about the treatment before taking it.

EECP is a procedure that can be taken by all people and is an outpatient therapy. Regardless of how serious the person’s health conditions are, one can take this procedure as a treatment for better health. In case of people with blocked arteries and other troubles, this works fine when their body is not suitable for surgeries.

The patient has to lie on a table and cuffs are fixed in the buttocks and feet and the portions get inflated and deflated. The level of oxygen is checked and other activities can be monitored and controlled. The treatment serves the best to support heart thereby increasing blood flow to heart and other organs. It is important to check with the therapist about the procedure and get prepared for it. If the patient has any difficult during or after the treatment, he has to consult with the therapist about it immediately. People, who stay away from surgeries when there is a need, can take this treatment to level their health conditions. Certain effects like pain in the muscles, tiredness and headaches can occur during the treatment, and it gets cured while getting used to the procedure.

It is always good for patients to consult with cardiologists about their health on a regular basis. When you consult, you can know about your heart conditions and what is required for your health. If you visit the web, you can know about different aspects of the EECP treatment. It works well and gives you long lasting results. By following the guidelines, patients can get the expected results. The reviews posted by other patients about the treatment in healthcare centers can offer good support. With proper use of the treatment, one can always have good health. With the help of online services, you can get to know all updates and contact the healthcare centers that offer treatment for patients. You can make enquiries through the website or give a call straightway for all queries about the treatment.

EECP as an Alternative to Surgery

EECP, in medical terms, is referred to as enhanced external counter pulsation. In fact, it is the common syndrome associated with coronary heart disease. It is known to occur when the heart does not get enough supply of blood. The symptoms tend to vary, though the common ones are pain in the chest, shortness of breath or dizziness.  This form of treatment scores over other stinting procedures because it is noninvasive and does not carry any risk. It is comfortable and provided in outpatient sessions. Because of this precise reason, it is also known as natural bypass. This form of treatment is safe on all counts and patients occasionally experience slight form of skin irritation. To overcome this, experienced EECP therapists provide extra amount of padding, which is bound to make the patient comfortable. Some other patients may experience fatigue as soon as the session begins, but it slowly subsidizes towards the end of the session. In short, patients are more energized by this form of treatment.

The standard course of this form of treatment is one hour a day, 5 days a week, which needs to be undertaken for seven weeks. Some of the patients are known to undertake this treatment 2 times a day so that they can finish this treatment quickly. Sometimes the treatment sessions are extended by more than 35 sessions, which depend upon the medical condition of the patients. The benefits from this form of treatment tend to emerge from the 15^th to the 25^th session. Improvement in sleeping patterns, less reliance on medication and increased stamina are some of the important traits, which are noticed. Variations are bound to happen and some patients tend to feel it after the first week of treatment itself.

The benefits of EECP treatment tend to last around 5 years. The outcomes of this form of treatment are virtually same for all surgical procedures. A point noteworthy is that, for a few patients, this form of treatment is not recommended. Typical examples of such form of patients are pregnant women, as well as individuals experiencing blood clot in their legs. This form of treatment improves blood flow throughout the body. If one has a poor leg circulation, they might need more than 35 sessions. In such cases, the patients may require close to 50 sessions to get benefits of the entire program. 

One is encouraged to come for the treatment every session. However, if you miss a session, it in no way means that there is going to be any sort of negative effect. When you are back, the treatment starts from where you have left and the missed treatment will be added towards the end of the session. It is simply as exercise; the more regular one is with this form of treatment, the faster the benefits tend to be.

If you are experiencing any form of heart disease, it is highly suggested to seek the doctor’s advice on EECP if you are eligible to undertake it or not.

EECP: The New Hope for Heart Patients

Angina is a coronary artery disease, which happens when the heart does not get its usual supply of blood. When the vessels that carry the supply of blood to the heart become inoperative, it is mainly due being blocked or narrowed. When you feel that you are short of breath and certain tightness in the chest, then you may be suffering from an Angina attack. The symptoms of Angina may vary from one patient to another.

EECP also known as Enhanced External Counter Pulsation therapy is a heart blockage treatment, which is not only cost effective but also non-invasive treatment option for people that are suffering from heart diseases. This therapy does not need any painful or invasive procedures and there is also no need to get the hospitalization. All the people who undergo this treatment are able to live a normal life and resume their activities after they have received the treatment. 

The ideal patient for the EECP treatment is:

-          Person that has undergone the heart bypass surgery or angioplasty, however, there are still symptoms of breathlessness and chest pain.

-          If you have had a heart attack in the past that required intervention, then the chances are that your 50% cardiac muscles have already been damaged as a result of the heart attack. This condition is diagnosed on the ECG as poor functioning of the heart or nuclear cardiac test that reveals dead muscles.

-          One who cannot undergo the surgery due to diabetic condition, stroke, liver failure, diffuse heart blood vessel disease that makes you an illegible candidate for the invasive techniques?

-          One who belongs to an old age group and cannot go through the invasive surgeries without exposing themselves to the risk of complications. If you have been advised second bypass surgery even then you qualify for EECP.

-          One who has been advised to undergo invasive treatment like angioplasty or invasive bypass surgery but is unwilling to take the treatment out of their own choice. 

-          One who cannot undergo the weight loss program due to being overweight but wants to live the active life and need a jumpstart. 

EECP technique is relatively safe and has high results when it comes to the treatment. The patients report that their life has improved after undergoing the EECP treatment. Although there are many reasons why EECP has gained so much popularity in all these years, the most important of these reasons is that it is an outpatient procedure and a very comfortable one at that. You don’t need any piercing needles hence the risk of getting infected are lowered significantly. It has been declared safe by many doctors and hundreds of patients get treated using EECP and have experienced an improvement in their life soon after the treatment.

Apart from minor skin abrasions as a result from blood pressure cuffs, EECP is a safe process. For the discomfort due to cuffs, you can request the doctor to help you with extra padding. You may, however, experience slight fatigue in the beginning but it will subside after a few sessions. 

The reasons to opt for the EECP therapy

“Enhanced external counter pulsation therapy” that we commonly refer to as EECP therapy, happens to be most advanced treatment to the ailment of angina. This is performed on those individuals who are suffering from the said ailment of the heart to reduce the acuteness of the problems they are suffering from. The objective to go for this therapy includes the achievement of the purposes like improving the functional capacity of the affected heart and eventually to bring some better in the life of the affected individuals. 

In case one suffers from angina, he needs to seek for a solution that is viable. In most of the cases, it is observed that the people suffering from cardiac ailments even after going through several remedial steps find worse to the some extent. For them, this therapy had emerged as a blessing. Best parts of this therapy are that since it is non-invasive, the patient neither needs to go through any medication nor they require to get admitted to the serenity of the hospitals for the time they undergo this treatment. The probable outcome of this treatment is the enhancement to the limit of tolerance for exercises. 

 Now let us discuss the impact of EECP therapy that had been experienced by the majority of persons undergoing the same.

What is the specialty of this therapy?

Patients undergoing the therapy are really impressed with the effectiveness of it. People having complaints like diseases related to the heart, chest pain, fatigue, angina, problems of kidneys, obesity, disorders of the liver and faint response to medications due to older age, have to bear high expenses for medication and treatment. If the patient does not show any betterment with traditional methods of treatment, the alternative options like the EECP workout. People had experienced their pain to get reduced by eighty percent. The best part is the patients need not to go through any medication or hospitalization should they desire to undergo this alternate form of treatment. Yet another point worth to mention shall be that there lays no need for the patients to get surgeries. Recovering from the surgeries had been a point to worry upon. The process neither makes the patient to feel further pains. People with very old ages and the obese are generally found to be prone to catch allergy from some types of medicines and drugs. This therapy does not involve the uses of drug and formulations. 

What the people feel post undergoing the therapy?

People are found to give a try to this method with a smile. The cost implication is also not very high and once one undergoes this therapy, he needs not to worry upon the period of recovery. As the method involves no surgery or the usage of drugs, the chance of side effects are beyond questions. 

The impact that the therapy creates happens to be long lasting and wide. Irrespective of the bracket of age that the person might fit in, they can expect to get hugely benefitted just in lesser span of two months. No wonder, this therapy is growing upon its popularity.

EECP therapy- A breakthrough in medical science

Medication has been the only treatment available to patients suffering from angina and heart failure.  It has been found that even surgical procedures like bypass surgery and angioplasty sometimes do not prove to be effective. As an alternative form of treatment, Enhanced External Counter Pulsation has been introduced. More commonly known as the EECP therapy, it is a recent breakthrough in the field of medical science.

Who can go for EECP treatment?

According to the EECP patient guidelines, patients who have ailments like renal problems, diabetes and lung diseases are best suited for receiving the EECP treatment. This is mainly because of the fact that EECP treatment is a non invasive procedure. This means that no part of the patient's body is surgically opened. Hence, no surgical wounds are inflicted on the patient. There are no side effects of the EECP therapy. The sheer simplicity of this innovative procedure ensures that the patient is not required to take any kind of pills, which can cure the side effects of the therapy. Hence, there is absolutely no kind of medication involved in this process that interferes with the patient's regular medication and ailments. This significantly reduces the risk of the entire procedure.

Specialty of the EECP treatment

According to doctors, the specialty of the EECP procedure lies behind the fact that it significantly decreases the angina attacks that a person may have to suffer. Along with this, it also reduces the strength of these attacks to such an extent that their effect on the patient's body is almost diminished. This procedure has been designed for both the male as well as the female body. Independent research has shown that after undergoing EECP therapy, the patients can reduce their dosage of heart related medicines. Hence, this therapy also helps to cut down the medication costs that a patient has to bear. 

Steps involved in the procedure

·         The patient's legs are attached to pneumatic cuffs. These cuffs are then fed in to the machinery that observes the patient's vital signs like heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, etc. Then according to the results obtained from the patient's echocardiogram, these pneumatic cuffs expand and contract.

·         This set up ensures that the after load is steadily reduced while there is a consequent rise in the preload. Thus, the cardiac output of the patient increases. This therapy is in some ways similar to the intra aortic balloon pump system.

·         Blood flow is increased to the heart rapidly by carefully compressing the blood vessels of the patient's lower limbs. The flow of blood is timed with the patient's heart's relaxed state. With utmost precision, the pressure is removed as the heart starts to pump again.

·         This leads to creation of smaller blood vessels, which acts as natural bypass channels, thus, reducing the cardiac pain experienced by the patient due to angina.

An EECP session lasts for about two hours each day and the therapy is completed within duration of five weeks. After this, the patient is free to continue with his life without any kind of medically imposed restrictions.