EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION
also known as ecp or eecp
Leaders in Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation since 2007,
our clinicians assist you in assessing your heart attack and stroke risk.
EXTERNAL COUNTER-
PULSATION
Also known as ECP or EECP
GROW
NEW ARTERIES
IMPROVE
ARTERY FUNCTION
IMPROVE
HEART FUNCTION
WE OFFER
EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION THERAPY
(ECP/EECP)
AT ALL OUR LOCATIONS
ECP therapy can help to strengthen the cardiovascular and immune systems in order to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
Regular therapy sessions can improve your quality of life!
PUTTING THE SQUEEZE ON HEART DISEASE:
SAFE
TREATMENT
No
Medications
No
Radiation
Non-
invasive
No
Surgery
PAINLESS
TREATMENT
WHAT IS
EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION
(ECP/EECP)
EXACTLY?
External Counterpulsation also known as ECP or EECP was invented at Harvard University as a treatment for angina pain.
It has since become a therapy for multiple cardiovascular conditions. It is a safe, effective, and painless treatment used to grow new arteries (angiogenesis) in the heart and can also improve artery and heart function.
If you have stable coronary artery disease or are in heart failure or you are concerned about your cardiovascular health, then ECP therapy might be for you.
Read more...
Traditionally, percutaneous coronary intervention (heart stent) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) are considered the standard treatment for coronary artery disease.
Unfortunately though, these treatments are invasive and sometimes contraindicated due to age, repeated and/or unsuccessful previous interventions, unfavorable coronary artery anatomy, patient preference, and/or comorbidities.
With stable artery disease (after an emergency room visit or routine physical), ECP therapy and cardiac rehabilitation can be safe and effective options versus stents or bypass surgery. This is supported by multiple trials done by researchers over decades (COURAGE trial, ORBITA trial, ISCHEMIA Trial).
HOW DOES
EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION WORK?
Therapy sessions are 1 hour long ideally completed within 2 months. Thirty-five sessions have been shown to have the biggest impact on cardiovascular outcomes.
Pneumatic cuffs (similar to blood pressure cuffs) wrapped around patients’ lower legs and buttocks are inflated and deflated during the cardiac cycle to force blood flow through the heart.
As the heart accommodates extra blood flow, new arteries are created to improve cardiac output and coronary perfusion (angiogenesis), as well as improve artery wall function.
BENEFITS OF EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION
External Counterpulsation (ECP) therapy can have systemic effects – that is, it can benefit the whole body.
The primary reasons for ECP therapy are:
1) Helps heart function.
2) Helps artery function.
3) Grows new arteries (angiogenesis) to increase blood flow and create a natural bypass in the heart.
Read more...
Our patients report:
Increased energy and stamina
Reduction or elimination of angina
Decreased shortness of breath
Decreased nitroglycerin and medication use
Improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Ability to rest and sleep better
They can resume activities they thought they had given up forever
Because ECP therapy enhances systemic circulation, it may also improve brain and renal perfusion and function, erectile dysfunction, sleep and energy levels, thyroid hormones, vision and skin appearance. Benefits of ECP have been documented to last up to three years. You can call our clinic or email us and will be happy to share our client experiences and case studies with you.
ANGIOGENESIS:
GROWING NEW ARTERIES
RISK OF EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION
THE HEART FIT CLINIC PROCESS
Your heart and your safety is our number one priority. Although External Counterpulsation has minimal risks, it may not be for everyone. The Heart Fit Clinic does a thorough cardiac assessment with an ECG and diagnostic testing before treatment initiation.
We have a process to ensure 100% safety.
Please contact the clinic to determine eligibility.
WHO IS EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION (ECP/ EECP) THERAPY FOR?
Read more...
External Counterpulsation therapy is one of the leading treatments for heart disease.
The Heart Fit Clinic External Counterpulsation program is for patients who have the following:
Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Patients experiencing angina (chest, jaw, shoulder, back, arm discomfort)
Considering an elective angiogram
Patients NOT amenable to stent or bypass surgery (microvascular disease, - complex blockages/lesions, or coronary spasm disease)
A failed heart stent or bypass surgery
Going into heart failure
Circulatory disorders
Ischemic stroke
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease i.e hypertension, diabetes
Cardiac rehabilitation post heart attack
WHY THE HEART FIT CLINIC EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION PROGRAM?
Read more...
When choosing External Counterpulsation therapy, the Heart Fit Clinic are the leaders in heart disease treatment. If you have heart disease or are interested in reducing your risk for heart disease, the Heart Fit Clinic should be your first choice.
Why the Heart Fit Clinic?
#1 Our staff provide you with a personalized approach to your heart health. Not everyone has heart disease for the same reason. We tailor the program to you.
#2 Our therapies and treatments work. We have many patient testimonials, case studies, and success stories. We are happy to connect you with past clients in similar situations to you so you can hear about their experiences.
#3 We are the authority when it comes to ECP and heart disease treatment. Our assessments and therapies are evidence-based and revolve around a preventative model. We are constantly reviewing and updating our practices based on the most current research. Our founder Diamond Fernandes is very active in the field of heart health. He presents at medical conferences regarding case studies and how Heart Fit Clinic bridges the gap in the healthcare system.
EECP Symposium
Treating Stable Cardiovascular Disease with External Counterpulsation
World Congress on Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
Navigating Heart Disease
Beating Heart Disease – Is it Even Possible?
Integrative Health Symposium
Bridging the Gap Between Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.
HEART FIT CLINIC ECP TESTIMONIALS
Only some videos of patients doing this therapy. We are happy to connect with your other patients who have done this treatment along with specific case studies that you may relate to.
You are more than welcome to come to our clinic and see us in action.
WHAT DO CARDIOLOGISTS THINK
ABOUT EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION?
Cardiologists use multiple assessments and treatments to treat cardiovascular diseases, while Heart Fit Clinic focuses on prevention and rehabilitation. External Counterpulsation is not part of the cardiologist toolbox however, many cardiologists are very supportive and encourage the use of ECP therapy. Watch the videos below to see some cardiologists speaking about ECP therapy.
INFORMATIVE VIDEOS ON
EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION
CLINICAL EVIDENCE & RESEARCH FOR EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION?
ECP is completed all over the world. It has undergone clinical trials at leading universities around the nation and been subject to over a hundred scientific studies published in the most prestigious medical journals throughout the world. Clinical trials have shown ECP therapy to be safe and effective for patients with heart disease with a clinical response rate averaging 70-80%, which is sustained up to five years. Bypass surgery and angioplasty are high risk and have a low efficacy – 70 to 90 percent of which are unnecessary and don’t prevent future heart attacks. 25% stents unfortunately close up within a year. ECP is a great non-invasive alternative.
FDA APPROVED FOR THE TREATMENT OF:
- Angina, artery disease and blockage.
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Cardiogenic Shock
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
2013 ESC guidelines on the management of stable coronary artery disease:
The Task Force on the management of stable coronary artery disease of the European Society of Cardiology.
ECP Therapy Receives Class lla Recommendation in European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease.
