Welcome to EECP THERAPY

1.Angina (Chest Pain)

When the heart is unable to get adequate blood supply, the heart muscles scream for help which the patient experiences as pain, typically in centre or left side of chest, often radiating to left jaw, shoulder or arm. This pain is called Angina.

2.Dyspnea (Feeling short of breath)

As the heart is receiving less blood supply, it results in a compromised blood supply and the patient’s ability to perform routine activities and exercise tolerance decreases. Typically, we see a patient stopping to catch their breath or breathing heavily after walking for a longer distance or climbing stairs. This breathlessness is called Dyspnea.

3.Easy Fatiguability

Almost everyone gets tired after strenuous activity but generally all heart patients start getting tired very easily in comparison. It starts with feeling of tiredness after walking long distance or other stressful activities in mild presentation of the disease, which gradually increases with progression of disease.

4.Other symptoms

Other symptoms that are often overlooked are sweating while eating, unexplained constipation, Erectile Dysfunctionetc.

What happens to the heart in CAD or Coronary Artery Disease ?

Our body is a beautiful machine created by the Almighty. It is capable of repairing and maintaining itself. In case of the Heart, there are millions of smaller arteries called Collaterals in addition to the main coronary arteries. When a portion of the heart does not get enough blood supply through a main vessel, these Collaterals provide an alternative route of blood supply to the affected area.

However, with increasing age, Atherosclerosis causes hardening of these arteries and the Collaterals keep on collapsing due to decreased pressure of blood supply. This makes us more dependent on the main Coronary Arteries for blood supply. Whenever the heart needs an increased blood supply, the main arteries are unable to meet the demand and we experience the symptoms described above.

In case the blood supply to a particular segment is interrupted, the patient experiences cramps like the ones we feel in our legs after running for a longer distance. If the blood supply is not restored, that segment gets damaged due to lack of blood supply. This is called a Heart Attack, which is different from a Heart Failure(which is inability of the heart to pump to the desired efficiency).

How do we treat CAD or Coronary Artery Disease?

To treat CAD or Coronary Artery Disease, the best approach is a holistic approach which must include the following

• 1.Reduction in risk factors like Smoking, excessive alcohol, high salt in food
• 2.Regular activity like walking or Yoga
• 3.Guided Physiotherapy and Cardiac Rehabilitation

The treatments include Invasive & Non-Invasive approaches.

The Invasive treatments are of two types

1.Angioplasty with Stent insertion

The Interventional cardiologist inserts a thin, long tube called a catheter through the thigh or the wrist of the patient and visualizes the blockage by using a high-powered X Ray(C-Arm). The blockage is partially opened using an inflatable balloon and a small spring like object is inserted to maintain a patent artery to resume the blood supply. Nowadays, DES or drug Eluting Stents are used for longer maintenance.

This is a life saving procedure which can save a large portion of the heart from being damaged in case a heart attack is happening but recently, it has been surrounded by a controversy regarding the higher prices being charged and unjustified use as a preventive measure without actually being indicated. Also, the exposure to radiation of X Rays has its own side effects along with increased need for medicines for the rest of the patient’s life.

2.CABG – Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Although it is a risky, expensive and major surgery; CABG is the gold standard treatment for patients with blocked arteries and is generally the last resort. In this treatment, a venous graft is taken from the patient’s own body and is used to restore blood supply to the affected part by creating a bypass to the blockage.The cons of this wonderful treatment are hospitalization for 4-10 days followed by months of recovery period and increased medication for lifetime.

The Non-Invasive treatments include the following

1.EECP or Enhanced External Counter Pulsation

EECP or Enhanced External Counter Pulsation is a safe, economical and effective treatment for patients who have Angina in spite of having undergone one or both Invasive treatments like Angioplasty or Bypass Surgery. It is also advised in case of patients who have been found to be unsuitable for the Invasive treatments.

This treatment works by strengthening the collateral arteries creating numerous bypasses to the blockages in the coronary arteries. That is why EECP is also called the “Natural bypass“treatment.

2.IV Chelation

Chelation is the use of certain medicines used to remove heavy metals from the body. In IV Chelation, a certain Amino Acid called EDTA is infused along with various vitamins and nutrients as a slow infusion. As per TACT trials findings, this causes reduction in symptoms and medication along with better exercise tolerance in heart patients.