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Welcome to the June 2008
edition of our monthly educational newsletter.
Within the following newsletter you’ll find
some of the most up-to-date information and
advice regarding revolutionary therapies on
health topics that concern many individuals.
This month we feature the cutting edge non-invasive
treatment known as EECP Therapy, which
addresses the treatment of refractory angina
and congestive heart failure.
EECP: Landmark Therapy
Did you know that nearly 7 million
Americans suffer from a condition called
angina pectoris, a crippling chest pain or
discomfort caused by coronary artery disease?
Angina is a signal from the heart muscle that
indicates the supply of blood and oxygen to
the heart is blocked or narrowed.
Additionally, nearly 5 million
Americans live with heart failure, and
550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
Heart failure is when the heart muscle becomes
so weak it can no longer pump enough blood to
meet the demands of the body. Both conditions
can be managed with a treatment known as
"Enhanced External Counterpulsation
Therapy" (EECP), manufactured by
Vasomedical, the leading manufacturer of
advanced non-invasive equipment. For those who
are dealing with angina or heart failure, EECP
Therapy is a landmark therapy that offers new
hope to patients who are poor candidates for
invasive measures.
How EECP Works
EECP Therapy relieves the symptoms of angina and heart failure by increasing the blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle while at the same time decreases the work of the heart. Just prior to EECP treatment, the
therapist checks blood pressure, pulse and breathing. The procedure starts by having the patient lie on a comfortable treatment table where a continuous electrocardiogram monitors the heart while at rest. Readings are done at the onset of treatment and during treatment. While the patient lies quietly, the EECP
therapist places ECT patches on the chest in addition to wrapping the patient in treatment cuffs around the legs, which inflate and deflate in synchronicity with the heartbeat. A special sensor is also applied to the finger which checks the oxygen level in the blood and monitors pressure waves. During treatment the patient is free to watch TV, nap or simply rest. Each patient responds differently to treatment, but most report feeling much better approximately half way through the 7-week treatment.
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EECP Guidelines
EECP Therapy has been shown to be a
safe and highly beneficial method, which can
be completed in outpatient one-hour sessions
each day of the week. Patients do not eat or
drink for an hour and half prior to treatment,
wear open collared shirts or blouses and take
any medication prescribed by their doctor as
usual. Some patients feel tired just after
treatment, but studies have proven that
significant symptom relief occurs soon after
and can very likely last up to three or more
years.
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The Advantages and
Benefits of EECP Therapy
There are several advantages to EECP
Therapy. At the top of the list is the fact
that EECP Therapy is not invasive, does not
require a hospital stay, has no down time and
allows the patient to return to normal
routines immediately after receiving
treatment. Most patients experience no angina
or fewer angina episodes after treatment.
While there is a short period of feeling
somewhat tired, the patient can usually
participate in more activities, and in general
can have a higher quality of life. Data has
shown that benefits of EECP Therapy can last
up to three years after completing the first
course (35 hours of treatment). Some studies
show benefits lasting up to five years.
Sandhills Cardiology offers EECP treatment to
patients who are not Coronary Arterial Bypass
Graffins (CABG) or Percutaneous
Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
candidates. Treatment is fully reimbursable
and was Medicare approved in
1999.
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