EECP

EECP services offered in Fayetteville, Lumberton, Erwin and Saint Pauls, NC

If you struggle with chest pain or other symptoms due to heart disease, an FDA-approved solution is available at Carolina Heart and Leg Center in Fayetteville, Lumberton, Erwin, and Saint Pauls, North Carolina. Hari Saini, MD, and the team offer enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy to improve blood flow and ease bothersome symptoms. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or use the online booking feature today.

What is enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy?

EECP therapy is an outpatient treatment used to treat long-term symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pressure and pain that don’t respond to other treatments. EECP is a safe, FDA-approved outpatient treatment that applies pressure to the lower limbs to improve blood flow to your heart.

EECP also encourages blood vessels to open new pathways for improved blood flow to the heart. Hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide have taken advantage of EECP.

Who benefits from EECP treatment?

Your provider may recommend EECP treatment if you struggle with one or more of the following:

Chest pain
Chest pressure
Poor blood flow to the heart
Weakness
Fatigue
Cough
Shortness of breath
Coronary heart disease
Cardiac syndrome X
Cerebrovascular disease
Kidney failure
Heart failure
Lung disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Left ventricular dysfunction

The Carolina Heart and Leg Center specialists might suggest EECP treatment if you’re not eligible for surgery or if other treatments haven’t worked to eliminate your symptoms. EECP can reduce the need for medications and improve your ability to be active.

What happens before EECP treatment?

To determine if you’re a candidate for EECP treatment, the Carolina Heart and Leg Center team discusses your medical history and symptoms. They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and may order an exercise stress test or additional diagnostic testing before tailoring a treatment plan.

What should I expect during treatment?

During treatment, you nap or relax on a padded table. Air begins to fill the cuffs placed around your lower limbs, causing the cuffs to become tighter around your legs. The cuffs inflate when your heart rests, increasing artery blood supply. The cuffs then deflate to make it easier for your heart to pump.

While you can expect to feel pressure during treatment, the sensation is well-tolerated. Each session lasts about an hour.

What happens after an EECP procedure?

You can return to typical activities after undergoing EECP treatment since there’s no downtime needed. However, you may feel tired afterward.

Your provider lets you know when to schedule your next EECP session. You might need treatment one hour a day, five days weekly for seven weeks, or twice daily for three and a half weeks. Symptom relief is long-lasting for many patients.

Schedule an appointment at Carolina Heart and Leg Center by phone or online today to determine if you’re a candidate for EECP.