Heart disease is more than just a medical problem; it impacts families, disrupts lives, and may be stressful. In India, heart disease is responsible for about 28% of all deaths. (WHO). What’s more concerning is that half of all heart attacks among Indian males occur before the age of 50, with 25% occurring before the age of 40. (IHA). These are more than just statistics; they reflect the increasing strain on families, the stress of medical bills, and the emotional toll that heart disease takes.
For many people, the default remedy for all heart problems appears to be surgery—stents, bypass procedures, and lengthy hospital stays. The idea of invasive treatment can be scary, and the recovery period frequently adds more stress. This is already a challenging scenario. However, there is a way to improve heart health without surgery or hospitalization. Enter Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) therapy, a simple, non-invasive procedure that is changing how heart diseases are treated in India. This US-FDA-approved treatment was first introduced in India on a large scale by renowned heart specialist and founder of SAAOL, Dr. Bimal Chhajer.
EECP has consistently been changing people’s lives all over the world in what is almost a silent evolution. It’s not some magic, but for the appropriate patients, it does offer a real opportunity to increase blood flow, reduce chest pain, and let them enjoy more freedom in life. Interested to know how it works, and what its indications are? Let’s uncover more.
What is EECP Therapy, and how does it work?
Before we go into specific conditions, it’s vital to understand how EECP works. Consider wearing blood pressure cuffs on your legs. Instead of measuring your pressure, these cuffs gradually inflate and deflate together with your heartbeat. Inflation occurs when your heart rests between beats (diastole), forcing blood from your legs back to your heart, enhancing circulation, and stimulating new blood vessels to develop around clogged arteries.
The treatment normally consists of one-hour sessions, five days a week, for a few weeks—a total of 40 sessions. It may seem time-consuming, but many patients find it significantly less intimidating than surgery.
Research backs up its efficacy. The American Journal of Cardiology conducted a large-scale study and discovered that up to 80% of individuals with chronic angina reported symptom alleviation after receiving EECP therapy.
Now, let’s look at six specific heart disorders that benefit from EECP.
- Chronic stable angina (chest pain)
Pulmonary angina is undoubtedly one of the worst feelings. It creates a tingling sensation or tightness around your chest area. Heart attacks and arteries getting clogged are on the rise. This is due to the increasing rate of angina being one of the most prevalent arteries-related diseases.
How EECP Helps:
When the cuffs expand, oxygen-rich blood flows back to your heart, forming natural bypasses around clogged arteries. Over time, this lessens the frequency and severity of angina attacks, allowing patients to participate in strenuous activities without pain.
Real-Life Examples:
Mr. Bhaya, a 62-year-old from Raipur, had suffered from angina for many years. Despite medications, he couldn’t walk for more than five minutes without feeling chest pain. His doctor recommended bypass surgery, but he was hesitant. After finishing EECP at Saaol Heart Care Delhi, Mr. Bhaya now walks daily with his granddaughter without any chest pain.
- Heart failure.
Weakness in performing blood pumping does not mean your heart is not working. It simply means your heart is not functioning to its optimal potential which can result in problems such as swelling in different body parts and increased difficulty in breathing.
How EECP Helps:
EECP has proven beneficial for angina as it strengthens your heart fully, helps in get through everyday activities, and your heart gets better with time. With the help of EECP, patients have claimed to be enjoying their lives and doing everyday tasks easily.
The Case Study of Asma Bi:
Usually, heart problems can be one of the toughest diseases to recover from. It completely drains out your energy making it hard for you to even do simple tasks such as walking or cooking. Asma Bi also had the same issues for quite a long time until she tried a new EECP treatment. It not only provided energy but improved performance thanks to her diet as well.
According to Springer Nature, more than 70% of heart failure patients underwent massive changes in their lives after their treatment with EECP.
- Coronary Artery Disease(CAD)
Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart attacks. Plaque formation narrows the arteries ultimately leading to heart blockage, limiting blood flow and oxygen to the heart.
How EECP Helps:
EECP promotes the creation of new blood arteries, allowing them to spontaneously bypass obstructions. This reduces the likelihood of heart attacks and the necessity for invasive surgery.
- Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy
This syndrome arises when the heart Muscles weaken as a result of insufficient blood supply, which typically occurs after heart attacks or long-term coronary artery disease.
How EECP Helps:
EECP improves circulation and promotes the repair of injured cardiac tissue. Patients gradually gain stamina and suffer fewer problems.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
PAD affects the arteries in the legs, resulting in discomfort and cramping during physical exertion. It is closely related to heart disease and can lead to more serious cardiovascular issues.
How EECP Helps:
The increased circulation that EECP delivers can alleviate PAD symptoms, allowing patients to walk longer distances without discomfort.
Vascular Medicine discovered that people with PAD saw walking capability improved by 100% following EECP.
- Refractory angina
Refractory angina is defined as prolonged chest pain that does not respond to medication or surgery. It can drastically reduce the quality of life.
How EECP Helps:
EECP encourages spontaneous bypasses, which can alleviate chest discomfort even when other therapies fail.
EECP at SAAOL Heart Care, Delhi.
SAAOL Heart Care Delhi, led by Dr. Bimal Chhajer, provides personalized EECP therapy in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle modifications for comprehensive heart care. Over 6 lakhs of individuals have avoided surgery and reclaimed healthier lives under SAAOL’s care.
If you or a loved one is considering treatment for heart disease, visit SAAOL Heart Care Delhi for guidance on choosing the best solution for your particular condition.
Your heart deserves to be cared for; pick non-invasive solutions now.