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Angina / EECP


Let's Get Tough On Angina

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Straight From The Heart


Definition of EECP

EECP is a noninvasive outpatient treatment that may relieve or eliminate angina, as well as other illnesses related to the low oxygen and blood flow. EECP increases oxygen supply by increasing blood flow to the heart muscle and rest of the body. Commonly, EECP is used as a Noninvasive Treatment for Angina.

How does EECP work?

EECP treatment is referred to as "natural" bypass. Normal heart function depends on maintaining a balance between oxygen supply and demand. Oxygen supply is in proportion to coronary blood flow. Approximately 80% of the blood flow to the cardiac muscle tissue occurs when the heart is at rest. The basic of counterpulsation technique in EECP is increasing the ratio of oxygen supply to oxygen demand by decreasing systolic (heart beating) pressure and increasing diastolic (heart at rest) pressure. Clinical studies indicate that EECP may creat a “natural” bypass of blocked arteries, by encouraging the blood vessels to open small channels that become extra branches. These channels or collaterals may eventually become permanent conduits to the heart muscle that was previously deprived of blood flow and adequate oxygen. Based on evidence that EECP improves perfusion of cardiac muscle tissue with previously restricted blood flow, the relief of angina is presumed to be related to the development of collaterals, thus creating a "natural" bypass.

Do you have or know of someone with chest pain?

If you are or know of someone who is suffering from the chest pain of angina pectoris, you should know about EECP® therapy. EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation) is a low-risk State-Of-The-Art technology for treatment of angina, and used by many premiere treatment centers such as Mayo clinic. It is painless and noninvasive, because EECP® treatment is "external" and it happens outside the body, thus does not require surgery or any other invasive procedures. Instead EECP® Therapy gently but firmly compresses the vasculature of the legs, synchronized with the heartbeat, to increase blood flow to the heart, ultimately reducing or eliminating chest pain.
Are you a candidate for EECP?

Please consult with your doctor or call us a 1st Care for a consultation appoinmnet with our physicians. However if you:

  • Can’t walk more than a block or be active without having angina

  • You have intense incidents or attacks of angina

  • You take anti-anginal medication

  • You can't go out to dinner, garden, travel, or enjoy golf, tennis, or bowling because of chest pain.

  • You have had or your doctor has told you that you might need a heart surgery

Then you should consult with physician to see if you are an EECP candidate. Our provider can screen your symptoms and conditions and recommend the treatment if necessary. Most insurance companies pay for the treatments if you qualify.

What you can expect from a full EECP treatment:

• Relief of anginal symptoms
 • Improved exercise treadmill times
 • No need or reduction of need for antianginal medications
 • Ability to enjoy a more active lifestyle

EECP is designed to improve heart function by increasing blood flow to the heart muscle and decreasing the heart’s workload. Clinical studies have shown that EECP improves the balance between the amount of oxygen the heart needs and the amount it receives. In effec EECP stimulates collateral blood vessel development within the heart, opening and providing alternative pathways around blocked coronary arterie, withour any surgery and its recovery time.

EECP may be beneficial if you:

  • Are not a candidate for more invasive procedures

  • Are taking nitrates without adequate angina relief

  • Are unwilling to undergo surgery or angioplasty

  • Have chronic congestive heart failure

  • Have exhausted invasive treatments without lasting relief of symptoms

A complete medical history and physical examination is required at the time of EECP patient enrollment, as well as at the completion of the treatment regimen. Please call for consultation 602-544-2273

EECP lets you live again

You feel something is wrong, you've fought constant bouts of weakness and dizziness and sometimes, for no apparent reason, your heart would suddenly race. Now, even simple actions like walking across the room brings a dull, nagging pressure in the middle of your chest accompanied by perspiration and shortness of breath.

If you have heart disease and answer “yes” to any of the above conditions, EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) at 1st Care Medical Clinic can help! You may not realize that your symptoms or lack of energy are caused by your heart disease. But fatigue and shortness of breath are not a part of getting old, and you do not “just have to learn to live with it.” These symptoms, along with chest pain or pressure, pain in the jaw, neck, arms and back, result from lack of blood flow. They are the heart’s way of crying out. And there is something you can do about it. EECP is a non-invasive procedure that's been approved by the FDA and has been shown to alleviate angina miseries without the pain and complications. And best of all it doesn’t involve surgery or a hospital visit, and the EECP treatment is covered by most insurance plans.

EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) is:

  • clincally proven to be as effective as bypass surgery, angioplasty, and stents
  • FDA-approved. Medicare-approved and covered by insurance
  • it is the only non-invasive treatment for coronary artery disease, angina, and congestive heart failure

Does insurance plan pay for EECP treatments?

Most insurance plans including Medicare has approved EECP treatments for qualified candidates. Our Physicians and providers will meet with you to see if your condition meets the criteria. You may also ask your cardiology for a referral to 1st Care Medical Clinic EECP treatment center.

To find out more:

To find out if you’re a good candidate for EECP, please call (602) 544-2273 (ask for an EECP Consultant) and to discuss or schedule a site visit or an appointment.

For Q&A and additional information please click on the top left icons or

Click here to read Testimonials and find out what others say about EECP

Click here to see a slide show

For Physicians:

A Physician Guilde to EECP - http://eecp.com/guide_therapy.pdf
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