ECP/EECP
What is EECP therapy?
Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy is chest pain therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It treats long-term chest pain or pressure (chronic stable angina) that doesn’t respond to other treatments. EECP therapy may also be recommended for some people who need a procedure to restore blood flow to their heart and aren’t eligible for surgery.
EECP therapy uses pressure to improve your blood flow. It's a noninvasive, outpatient treatment. You typically receive the treatment over seven weeks.
This type of therapy can reduce your need for medication and increase your ability to be active without experiencing symptoms. Side effects are usually minor. Your healthcare provider can help determine if you are eligible for EECP treatment.
What conditions can EECP therapy treat?
Your healthcare provider may recommend EECP if you have:
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Chest pain.
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Cough.
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Fatigue.
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Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
EECP can also help other conditions, including:
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Cardiac syndrome X (a type of angina).
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Cerebrovascular disease.
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Heart failure.
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Kidney (renal) failure.
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Left ventricular dysfunction (an early stage of heart failure).
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Lung disease (pulmonary disease).
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Peripheral artery (vascular) disease (PAD).
EECP cannot treat unstable angina (acute coronary syndrome). This type of angina causes more severe, more frequent and longer-lasting symptoms. Symptoms develop suddenly, even while you rest.
Call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room if this occurs. You could be having a heart attack.
How does EECP therapy work?
EECP treatment applies pressure to blood vessels in your lower limbs. The pressure increases blood flow back to your heart, so your heart works better. When your heart pumps better, symptoms ease.
This type of therapy can also encourage blood vessels to open new pathways for blood to flow to your heart. These pathways eventually become "natural bypass" vessels that help relieve symptoms of angina if your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked.
Who is eligible for EECP therapy?
You may be eligible for EECP therapy if you:
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Have long-term chest pain or pressure that comes and goes during physical activity or stress.
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No longer experience relief with medication.
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Don’t qualify for an invasive procedure like surgery.
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Experience renewed symptoms after an invasive procedure such as bypass surgery, angioplasty or stenting.
Who should not undergo EECP therapy?
Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you qualify for EECP therapy. Providers don’t recommend EECP therapy if you’re pregnant. Providers may recommend other options for people who have pacemakers or conditions such as:
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Aortic insufficiency.
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Atrial fibrillation (Afib).
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Blood clots.
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Congenital heart disease.
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Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly).
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Heart valve disease.
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Hemorrhage.
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High blood pressure (hypertension).
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Irregular heartbeat.
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Fast heart rate (tachycardia).
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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Pulmonary hypertension (PH).
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Severe peripheral vascular disease.
What are the advantages of EECP therapy?
Research shows many people report improved symptoms for up to a few years after EECP treatment. They say they experience:
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Fewer and less frequent symptoms of angina, including chest pain.
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Increased energy.
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More ability to be active or exercise without symptoms.
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Reduced need for medication.
What Experts Say
Dr. Priti Nanda Sibal
Dr. Priti Nanda Sibal, a GMC Amritsar and a ABAARM graduate with over 30 years of medical experience, reversed her own diabetes in 2015 using her unique BENDS approach. Inspired by her personal journey, she founded the Peak Wellness Functional Medicine Clinic, where she has helped more than 5,000 patients naturally reverse diabetes. Today, she continues to empower individuals through holistic healing and functional medicine, guiding them toward lasting health and vitality.
