Secretary-General ICTM

Nutritional & Functional Medicine Practitioner, DSY Wellness & Longevity Center

McMed (NM), F’Ship Anti-Aging Metabolic & Functional Medicine (A4M, USA)

EECP and its potential benefits for heart disease - Part1

Malaysia is a blessed country with delicious delicacies and cuisine. A typical Malaysian diet, consisting of tasty sauce and meat, is primarily high in fat, cholesterol and refined sugar. This lifestyle may pose a risk to various chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. According to data, cardiovascular disease has been a national burden in Malaysia. It tops the morbidity and mortality of Malaysians throughout decades, and the rates continue to rise. A lot of people suffer from cardiac discomfort for a long time. They are often at a loss, especially when surgical procedures and drugs cannot play much help to their terrible chest discomfort. However, the invention and introduction of Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) to Malaysia may bring a glimmer of hope to address their sufferings.

So, what is Enhanced External Counter Pulsation Therapy? And how does it work?

Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive treatment approved by the FDA and the Ministry of Health Malaysia. It consists of three pairs of external inflatable cuffs applied around the calves, the thighs and the buttocks. It applied positive pressure to these areas with specific timings to synchronise with the patient's cardiac cycle.

When the early diastole phase of the heart starts, the airbags will inflate and exert pressure on the lower body, increasing the blood flow back to the aorta and the aorta pressure. Also, through the force of the lower body, venous return increases and increases cardiac output. Before the diastole phase ends, the airbags will deflate, and pressure exerted on the lower limbs will quickly release. The aorta can eject blood to the lower body more easily.

Potential benefits for heart disease and why it might help:

It improves coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition involving the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries; these arteries transport oxygen-rich blood to cardiac muscle. The narrowing of arteries normally involves the build-up of the plague, which limits the blood flow. You can imagine blood flow as the traffic while the blood vessels as the traffic lane; when there is some damage to the route or roadblock there, this will affect the traffic and become slower. The patient may have little or no symptom unless the plague triggers a blood clot and cause a total blockage to the arteries, oxygen-rich blood may be unable to reach the heart, and the cardiac muscle may damage. Some symptoms should be alert of include temporary chest pain or discomfort, especially during physical activity or emotional distress, shortness of breath, dizziness, and heart palpitation.

Why might it help?

Through pressures on the lower body, the study showed EECP can promote the growth of the coronary artery collateral branches and improve peripheral blood circulation. EECP can help to meet the demand for oxygen in cardiac muscle by improving coronary and peripheral blood flow. Another study also showed that EECP helps blood circulation by promoting endothelial function in peripheral arteries and decreasing arterial stiffness. So, the patients can improve exercise tolerance after sessions of EECP therapy.

It improves angina pectoris:

Angina pectoris is a type of chest pain or discomfort. The patient often describes this pain as somebody squeezing their heart, which causes high pressure and tightness and even pain in the chest. Angina pectoris often exacerbated with exposure to cold and emotional distress, and the severity of pain cannot be relieved by respiration, cough or posture. It can be a symptom of coronary artery disease or spasms of arteries.

Why might it help?

In a study involving angina pectoris patients who are unsuitable for invasive surgery procedures, completing total sessions of EECP therapy, at least 80% of patients improve at least one angina class. And also, the occurrence of episodes of angina decrease, hence improving the patient's quality of life. On the other hand, the concomitant drug use (nitro-glycerine) also decreases. Another good news is fewer patients will have to undergo revascularisation after completing sessions of EECP therapy. Scientists explain the benefits of EECP intervention may involve the improvement of blood flow in limb arteries, the increasing level of the vasodilator (nitric oxide and PGF1), and regulating blood vessels' homeostasis.

It helps with heart failure (HF) ?

Types of heart failure can be classified by causes and functional status. Treatment options for patients with HF are similar to other heart diseases, including lifestyle modification, medications, cardiac surgery, and additional implantable pacemaker and defibrillators to prevent sudden heart attacks. Although the advancement of medical technology and drug intervention, patients still experience the symptoms and signs of heart failure, which implicates their daily lives. Patients with congestive heart failure are the most studied group that may benefit from undergoing EECP therapy.

Why might it help?

Patients with heart failure are a high-risk group for developing pulmonary emboli. The intervention of EECP increases cardiac output, and venous pressure is hence decreased through intermittent compression to the vein of lower limbs. Therefore, the risk of developing deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary emboli decreases.

Takeaways

EECP has brought many advantages to the patient, but it cannot never substitute drugs and surgery. No matter how advanced the treatment and the benefits, it still has risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, if you are interested or have questions regarding EECP therapy, please find your nearest healthcare provider or contact us (secretary@ictm.com).

Please join us on the journey of a happy and healthy lifestyle. The Institute of Complementary Medicine and Traditional Medicine would be delighted to accompany you.