Diabetes is difficult, you are always walking a tightrope, get one of those diets or daily habits wrong and you incur severe heart problems. Research from John Hopkins Medicine states that having diabetes increases the risk of getting heart disease by 2 – 4 folds in comparison to people without diabetes. Nearly 68% of 65-year-old diabetics are severely affected by this disease and instead end up succumbing to heart failure and a further 16% pass away due to a stroke as per the International Journal of Hypertension.
With such statistics, people with diabetes need to manage their heart as a given. In contrast, surgical interventions such as bypass or angioplasty are difficult, uneconomical, and dangerous. This is the moment, accordingly, for treatment with Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP). Having no surgical procedure, no invasiveness, having a therapeutic effect on the heart function and on the quality of life.
However, to what extent can EECP therapy help diabetic heart patients, and why is it a popular treatment globally? Let’s examine this step by step.
What is EECP Therapy, and how does it work?
EECP is a non-invasive heart treatment that helps to improve blood supply to the heart. The patient lies in large, inflatable cuffs around the legs, which look similar to a blood pressure cuff. These cuffs are coupled to the patient’s pulse rate/heartbeat and inflate/deflate in accordance with the pulse rate and exert pressure on the lower extremities’ blood vessels. This rhythmic buffeting serves to enhance blood distribution and promotes the growth of new blood vessels in the heart, a phenomenon known as collateral circulation or natural bypass.
Long-term EECP increases blood flow whilst also decreasing the load on the heart, permitting better cardiac output. This treatment is usually administered with sessions over a week, with one-hour sessions/week. By the end of the therapeutic cycle, a significant number of patients report reduced chest pain, increased energy, and better overall cardiac function.
Why Does EECP Work for Diabetic Heart Patients?
Diabetes not only affects blood sugar levels, it also damages blood arteries which raises the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in the bloodstream can damage the artery wall, causing inflammation, which leads to the formation of blood clots which is the main reason for myocardial infarction and stroke.
EECP addresses these issues by facilitating greater blood flow and healthier vascularization. Below are a few particular ways in which EECP contributes to diabetic heart patients.
- Enhanced blood flow and oxygen supply
One of the most difficult obstacles for diabetic heart patients is limited blood flow, which can lead to ischemia (lack of oxygen) in heart tissues. EECP therapy stimulates the formation of new blood vessels which results in increased oxygenation of previously ischemic tissue.
One of the studies published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology revealed that EECP decreased episodes of angina in coronary artery disease patients by 83% and more in diabetic patients. Increased blood supply, in turn, directly enhanced their exercise capacity and decreased hospitalizations.
- Relieved chest pain without surgery
Angina (chest pain) is a frequent symptom of diabetic heart patients. It can cause a considerable decrease level in physical activity with a lowered quality of life. EECP relieves chest pain by enhancing perfusion (blood flow) to cardiac tissues.
Real-Life Impact: Many patients at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi have reported substantial decreases in chest pain following EECP treatment. They often report being able to climb stairs, carry out long walks, or perform usual activities without a sense of discomfort for the first time in a long time.
- Reduced risk of heart failure progression
Heart failure is defined as a condition when the heart doesn’t pump blood effectively and is commonly attributed to chronic diabetes mellitus and hypertension. EECP lessens cardiovascular strain by reducing systemic vascular resistance (the pressure the heart has to work hard against) and thereby allows the heart to work without strain.
A clinical trial published in clinical cardiology found that EECP therapy reduced heart failure symptoms by 25% and the need for hospitalization in diabetic individuals over a 12-month period.
EECP and Diabetes Management
EECP is well recognized as a cardiovascular enhancer, but it is often shown as surprisingly beneficial in managing diabetes mellitus as a whole. The effect of the therapy on improving the pattern of blood flow and down-regulating inflammation has led to better insulin sensitivity.
- Improves Endothelial Function
Diabetes leads to dysfunction of the endothelium (internal lining of blood vessels). Due to damaged endothelium, the more fibrotic and stiff blood vessels that are present are linked to an increased risk of CAD and stroke. EECP can enhance endothelial function, including nitric oxide production, which is a vasodilator and cardioprotective.
The Journal of the American College of Cardiology published a study showing that in diabetic patients, EECP induced a 20% improvement in endothelial function, resulting in better vascular health.
- Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress
Chronic inflammation is a latent factor of both diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. EECP is anti-inflammatory, reducing inflammation-related markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and long-term positive effects on cardiac status.
Life support with diabetes and coronary disease is a huge burden of daily living. As a result of tiredness, shortness of breath, and being unable to move, all experience severe restrictions on what they can do, even in their day-to-day activities. EECP is not only alleviating the symptoms but also can provide an improvement in quality of life.
Is EECP safe for diabetics?
Absolutely. EECP is one of the safest non-invasive methods of treatment for heart disease. As it does not involve surgery and also does not have strong drugs, its side effects are minimal or negligible. There may be some patients who experience mild leg pain that usually resolves after a few sittings.
What to expect during EECP sessions
Patients lie comfortably in a treatment bed and their leg cuffs are inflated and deflated. Each treatment lasts approximately an hour, and the majority of patients report feeling relaxed so much that they even take naps! After a few weeks, the benefits become more evident.
Is EECP Right For You?
When one has diabetes and suffers from typical chest pain, depletion of energy, or breathlessness, EECP may represent an option as well. It is very advantageous to those who:
-Have been told they are not eligible for bypass surgery.
-Continue to have symptoms despite taking medicine.
-Prefer noninvasive treatment alternatives.
To find out more, contact SAAOL Heartcare Delhi to explore if EECP could improve your health and lifestyle.
Conclusion: A Non-Invasive Approach to Improving Heart Health
For diabetic heart patients, EECP is more than just a treatment; it is a source of hope. Through improvements in circulation, alleviation of chest pain, and enhancement of overall vascularism, EECP enables patients to regain their lives and participate in daily activities without fear of cardiovascular complications.