3 Down, 32 To Go

Since the post last month, Hubby has had two more appointments with cardiologists and has begun a new treatment called EECP. Enhanced External Counter Pulsation is a non-invasive treatment for the lack of blood flow through the body.

EECP increases blood flow to the heart, which opens and expands networks of small blood vessels within the heart called collaterals. These channels create natural bypasses around blocked arteries, boosting blood supply to oxygen-deprived areas of the heart. The results of the EECP treatment are: better circulation, blood supply meeting demand, and a decrease of heart disease symptoms.

This past week Hubby started the seven week treatment, five days a week, an hour each day. He drives 30 miles to a spa-like center where he lies on a bed and watches Netflix movies. His legs are wrapped in blood-pressure like cuffs from his ankles to his thighs. The pressure cuffs are connected to a monitor and an EKG. The cuffs squeeze during the relaxing phase of the heartbeat and deflate when the heart beats. (Counterpulsation) This process increases the blood flow to the heart, opening and creating new networks within the small blood vessels.

You can read more about EECP with the help of Google and you can watch a video by clicking on the link.

EECP Heart Therapy YouTube

Hubby says the treatment is not as uncomfortable as it may look in the video. Movies help the time go faster. His treatment is in the morning so he doesn't eat or drink much prior to the morning drive. He feels fine afterwards.

We feel very fortunate to have this option available in AZ as it is not available in SD. Hubby was noticing the angina (pressure in his chest) was happening more often, usually later in the day (when the current medication was less effective) and when minimal exertion was required to complete a task (climbing steps, lifting objects). So it has become very important to get started on the treatments ASAP.

The 35 treatments are covered by Medicare and insurance. There is no surgery involved. The EECP therapy can be used again if Hubby feels the same symptoms he has felt the past 6 months. The EECP 'measure of success' will be if Hubby can mow the yard without experiencing angina.

What this means is we will not be going back home until May. (Last treatment is May 8th.) My hip replacement has been moved to June 5th. It is what it is and could be so much worse. All is well.