Q: What is angina?

A: Angina is the global term for all symptoms associated with coronary artery disease, which occurs when the heart is not receiving enough blood. Angina may feel like chest pain or chest pressure, shortness of breath, pain in the jaw / neck / arms / back, or generalized fatigue. Each patient experiences angina differently.

Q: What is EECP treatment?

A: EECP is a non-invasive outpatient treatment for heart disease and angina.
It improves blood flow to the heart by creating new pathways ("collaterals") around blocked arteries.

Q: What are the advantages of EECP treatment?

A: Unlike procedures such as bypass surgery, balloon angioplasty, and stents, EECP is entirely noninvasive (involves no surgery, drugs or needles), carries no risk, is comfortable, and is administered in an outpatient setting.

Q: Are there any risks or side effects of EECP?

A: EECP carries no risk. Some patients experience some fatigue at the beginning of their treatments, but this usually goes away after the first few sessions. In fact, patients typically feel energized by EECP.

Q: How long does EECP take?

A: The standard course of treatment is one hour per day, 5 days per week, for 7 weeks (35 hours total).

Q: What does EECP feel like?

A: EECP feels like a deep muscle massage to your legs. You feel nothing above your waist and nothing in the chest or heart. You simply feel the cuffs wrapped around your legs squeezing in time to your own heartbeat. Our patients have affectionately described this sensation as "gentle hugs." Most of our patients relax, listen to music, or read during their treatments. Some of our patients even sleep!

Q: Do the benefits of EECP last?

A: Benefits from EECP have been shown in published clinical to last for 3-5 years or more.

Q: How does EECP compare to angioplasty or bypass surgery?

A: In a study, the 5-year outcomes for EECP patients were virtually the same as for angioplasty and bypass surgery patients.

Q: Is EECP FDA-approved? What kind of research has been done on it?

A: Yes. The FDA approved EECP for treatment of coronary artery disease and angina in 1995. In 2002, EECP was approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure. It has undergone rigorous clinical trials at leading universities around the country and it has been the subject of dozens of scientific studies published in leading medical journals. (Please see our Clinical Studies page for more information.)

Q: Does insurance pay for EECP?

A: Yes. EECP is covered by Medicare and private insurance carriers.

Q: I have already had bypass surgery / angioplasty / stents. Can I still have EECP?

A: Yes! Most of our patients have already had one (or many) of these procedures. They come for EECP treatment because they still have angina.

Q: I have a pacemaker. Is that a problem with EECP?

A: No. Pacemakers and internal defibrillators do not interfere in any way with the EECP treatment. Sometimes a minor adjustment needs to be made in order to make the treatment comfortable for you.

Q: I am on Coumadin. Is that a problem with EECP?

A: No. Patients on Coumadin are able to undergo EECP treatments safely. There is no risk of bleeding.