Your heart is the pump that supplies blood flow throughout the body. It supplies tissues with the oxygen and nutrients that are needed to sustain life.
In order to efficiently accomplish this important task, the heart muscle needs oxygen-enriched blood to generate energy for pumping blood to the body.
The heart relies on its own set of blood vessels called coronary arteries to receive oxygenated blood. ECP seems to improve circulation to your heart muscle by opening new pathways that circumvent the blocked arteries.
Many patients see:
• less medication is required
• fewer angina attacks
• they can do much more physically such as walking, golfing and gardening
• life becomes more “normal”
Friday, February 1, 2008
How will I feel during and after I finish the ECP Therapy?
Most patients describe the treatment as a vigorous massage.
They also say that after you get used to it, reading or sleeping during the treatment is very easy. Right after finishing a treatment many are energized or invigorated, but some feel a little tired.
They also say that after you get used to it, reading or sleeping during the treatment is very easy. Right after finishing a treatment many are energized or invigorated, but some feel a little tired.
Does ECP carry any risks?
Though rare, some patients can develop minor abrasions from the rubbing of the cuff system. The ECP therapist or your physician can describe any potential risk and/or complications that may occur.
What advantages does ECP have over other treatments?
ECP is less expensive, non-invasive and doesn’t require recuperation after treatment. Rather than checking into a hospital, you visit an outpatient facility and can drive yourself home when each session is completed.
What is an ECP treatment?
ECP is a non-invasive procedure that may reduce the symptoms of chronic angina by stimulating the formation of small branches of blood vessels (collaterals), which circumvent the blocked arteries.
Counter pulsation occurs while the heart is resting (diastole). It is during diastole that the CardiAssist system actually pumps, sending blood back to the heart. Air is inflated into a series of cuffs placed on your calves, thighs and buttocks.
The system compresses your lower extremities in sequence (like a wave) which increases blood flow back toward your heart. The inflation of these cuffs is timed to your heartbeat so the blood arrives at precisely the time the heart relaxes.
A fraction of a second before your heart beats again, the cuffs are instantaneously deflated, enabling the blood in your heart to be pumped (systole), with minimal resistance. This decreases the amount of work your heart must perform.
IT’S AS SIMPLE AS 1,2,3...
One: ECP pumps, sending oxygenated blood
to the heart during diastole (the heart is resting)
Two: ECP stops pumping just before the heart pumps, leaving the blood vessels open and void of resistance.
Three: Over the treatment period your angina is reduced, or may even be eliminated.
Counter pulsation occurs while the heart is resting (diastole). It is during diastole that the CardiAssist system actually pumps, sending blood back to the heart. Air is inflated into a series of cuffs placed on your calves, thighs and buttocks.
The system compresses your lower extremities in sequence (like a wave) which increases blood flow back toward your heart. The inflation of these cuffs is timed to your heartbeat so the blood arrives at precisely the time the heart relaxes.
A fraction of a second before your heart beats again, the cuffs are instantaneously deflated, enabling the blood in your heart to be pumped (systole), with minimal resistance. This decreases the amount of work your heart must perform.
IT’S AS SIMPLE AS 1,2,3...
One: ECP pumps, sending oxygenated blood
to the heart during diastole (the heart is resting)
Two: ECP stops pumping just before the heart pumps, leaving the blood vessels open and void of resistance.
Three: Over the treatment period your angina is reduced, or may even be eliminated.
How Does ECP treatment help my heart work less?
ECP lowers your pressure during systole (when the heart is pumping) and increases your pressure during diastole (when the heart is resting). As a result your heart doesn’t
have to work as hard to supply your body with blood flow.
A study has shown the accumulation of 35 hours of treatment produces a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance similar to the “training effect” of exercise. The combination of improved myocardial perfusion and less vascular resistance may explain the symptomatic improvement in patients.
have to work as hard to supply your body with blood flow.
A study has shown the accumulation of 35 hours of treatment produces a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance similar to the “training effect” of exercise. The combination of improved myocardial perfusion and less vascular resistance may explain the symptomatic improvement in patients.
What Does ECP Therapy Feel Like?
ECP with the CardiAssist Counter Pulsation System feels like a vigorous massage.
After putting on your stretch tights, electrodes are applied to your chest to provide an ECG signal so that the CardiAssist system will be properly timed to your heart beat.
A sensor will also be clipped to your finger to give your blood pressure tracing. This is how your therapist determines the proper settings to maximize the effect of the therapy.
Next, the therapist places the cuff system around your calves, thighs and buttocks.
When activated, the cuffs provide what Dr. Kenneth Sunnnergren, Lewes, Delaware calls “leg-hugs”. These leg-hugs™ start in a wave form up the legs from the calves, to the thighs and finally the buttocks.
After putting on your stretch tights, electrodes are applied to your chest to provide an ECG signal so that the CardiAssist system will be properly timed to your heart beat.
A sensor will also be clipped to your finger to give your blood pressure tracing. This is how your therapist determines the proper settings to maximize the effect of the therapy.
Next, the therapist places the cuff system around your calves, thighs and buttocks.
When activated, the cuffs provide what Dr. Kenneth Sunnnergren, Lewes, Delaware calls “leg-hugs”. These leg-hugs™ start in a wave form up the legs from the calves, to the thighs and finally the buttocks.
What do I need to do for ECP Therapy?
Once you know you qualify for ECP therapy there are a few helpful pre-treatment do’s, don’ts and facts.
First, you must understand that you are committing to one hour sessions, five days per week, for seven weeks.
Interruptions in the daily routine are not good and should be avoided if at all possible. You should plan to spend about an hour and a half each day at your treatment center.
You may feel somewhat tired at the end of the first week, due to the “passive exercise” effect of ECP.
Each day, your therapist will conduct a pre-treatment questionnaire, weigh you and take your blood pressure prior to starting your therapy.
We recommend the following:
First, you must understand that you are committing to one hour sessions, five days per week, for seven weeks.
Interruptions in the daily routine are not good and should be avoided if at all possible. You should plan to spend about an hour and a half each day at your treatment center.
You may feel somewhat tired at the end of the first week, due to the “passive exercise” effect of ECP.
Each day, your therapist will conduct a pre-treatment questionnaire, weigh you and take your blood pressure prior to starting your therapy.
We recommend the following:
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time
- Wear stretch tights to reduce skin irritation
- Wear form fitting underwear, not boxers
- Wear short socks if possible
- Consume very little food or fluids before treatment
- Be sure to urinate before starting the therapy
- Take your med’s as directed by your physician
- Wear an open necked top, the looser fitting the better
- Bring music (Tape or CD player) or Books on Tape/CD
- Bring your spouse/friend if you like
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