Let’s start with a gut-punch of a truth: every minute, somewhere in the world, someone is getting a stent. And they never asked one question: “Is there another way?” If you’ve been told you have coronary artery disease or mentioned the word “heart blockage,” this blog post is your moment of clarity. Did you know? According to the India Cardiovascular Procedures Market Report, around 4,357,875 cardiac procedures are estimated to be performed every year, of which the majority include stenting.
We’re going to cut the medical jargon, debunk the overhyped myths, and get down to what no one has told you when you were sitting face to face with the cardiologist, nervously clutching your report. Dr. Bimal Chhajer and SAAOL Heartcare Delhi strongly advocate for the non-surgical heart disease treatment, i.e., EECP therapy. Yes, there could be a way to bypass the need for bypass surgery and/or angioplasty. Today, you will get to know the honest comparison between EECP treatment and angioplasty, and what would be better for you when it comes to EECP vs Angioplasty. And no, it doesn’t make you crazy to want to know all your choices.
So let’s talk.
What is Heart Blockage?
Blocked arteries aren’t like clogged kitchen pipes. It’s not about a one-time fix and done. This is a biological process—plaque buildup, inflammation, and dysfunction in how your blood vessels relax and contract. And the scary part? You can have 90% heart blockage and still not feel a thing.
That is… until one day you do.
Traditionally, the moment a blockage reaches a certain percentage (let’s say 70% or more), the knee-jerk reaction has been angioplasty. It sounds reassuring, doesn’t it? A stent to open up the vessel, and boom—problem solved.
But is it really solved? Or are we just brushing the real issue under the angiographic carpet?
What is EECP Therapy?
Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) is not new. It’s just… not mainstream. Why? Because it doesn’t require going under the knife, getting stitches, or paying millions. It’s non-invasive. Outpatient. And — it somehow actually improves blood circulation naturally.
EECP involves cuffs placed around your legs, which inflate and deflate rhythmically with your heartbeat. This produces a strong backflow of blood toward the heart that opens up dormant vessels (known as collaterals), lowers workload on the heart, and induces what doctors call angiogenesis, the creation of new blood vessels.
Now here’s where the science gets interesting:
For patients with stable angina (chest pain), EECP has been shown to provide benefits similar to stents in terms of symptom relief, but without any surgery. And more importantly, it acts on the underlying cause — impaired circulation — rather than just the symptom (a blocked artery).
Is Angioplasty required for Every Heart Blockage?
Here’s what most people don’t know: not every blockage requires a stent.
Clinical trials such as COURAGE and ISCHEMIA have demonstrated that the long-term results of angioplasty and medical management (which includes EECP) are virtually the same in stable patients, those not having a heart attack. That’s right. No difference in heart attack rates. No difference in mortality.
So why the rush to stent?
Simple: It’s fast. That sounds good on a report. And yes, it can save lives in emergencies. But in stable cases, stenting may just be a high-tech band-aid, not a cure.
EECP vs Angioplasty: Comparison in treatment options for Heart disease
| Feature | EECP | Angioplasty |
| Invasiveness | Non-invasive | Invasive surgery |
| Hospital Stay | Outpatient | 1-2 days or more |
| Recovery Time | Minimal | Moderate to Long |
| Risk of Complications | Very Low | Higher (bleeding, restenosis) |
| Works on Root Cause? | Yes | No (only opens one vessel) |
| Cost | Significantly Lower | High (especially with stents) |
| Improves Collateral Circulation | Yes | No |
| Suitable for Repeated Use | Yes | Limited |
When Do You NEED Angioplasty?
Angioplasties save lives in emergencies. If you’re having a heart attack, go for it. No hesitation. Finally, if you’ve done everything else (diet, medications, EECP, lifestyle changes) and you’re still severely limited by chest pain, then a stent may be the next step.
But if you’re stable and being told you need a stent just because there’s a heart blockage, that’s when you stop. Ask the tough questions. Explore EECP.
What the Stent Doesn’t Fix: Disadvantages of Angioplasty
Here’s a truth bomb that most people don’t hear: Angioplasty doesn’t prevent future heart attacks. It does not prevent disease progression. It does not heal the endothelium (the innermost lining of your arteries). And it’s not going to make you “heart-healthy.”
It simply opens one artery. That’s it. In the meantime, the disease resumes its hush in the background, striking other vessels.
EECP, conversely, enhances general blood flow. It helps in reducing systemic inflammation. It increases nitric oxide, enhances endothelial function, and reduces the workload on the heart. It’s like giving your heart a full-body massage and getting blood flowing to the ailing areas.
We have witnessed over 6 lakh patients come into EECP centers with a pile of reports suggesting surgery. Scared. Confused. Angry.
And we watched as they walked out — a few weeks later — smiling, symptom-free, empowered.
In one case, a patient with 70% LAD (left anterior descending) blockage declined the stent, underwent 40 EECP sessions with lifestyle modifications, and experienced complete symptom resolution. And two years later, stable.
These stories aren’t going to be on the front page. But they are real. And they are rising.
So, Can EECP Help You Avoid Heart Surgery?
Yes—if you:
- Are stable (no heart attack symptoms)
- Can commit to lifestyle changes
- Can withstand a non-invasive heart treatment for a few weeks
- Want to improve long-term health, not just one artery
Then EECP is not merely a possibility — it may be the wiser one.
But if you’re unstable, having a heart attack, or have critical multi-vessel disease, then angioplasty or bypass surgery is the safer bet.
The key? Personalization. One solution does not fit all hearts.
Here’s what we hope you take away:
Your heart is not a plumbing system. It’s a living, breathing, changing muscle that requires maintenance, not Band-Aids. EECP treatment, especially by SAAOL Heartcare and Dr. Bimal Chhajer, isn’t a miracle. Only, it’s a method — one that honors the organ’s own wisdom, as opposed to bypassing it with a stent. If you’ve heard “you don’t have a choice,” remember: You do. You always do. Get a second opinion. Ask about EECP vs Angioplasty. But don’t sacrifice understanding for urgency.
Because your heart deserves more than a metal scaffold. It deserves healing.