Advanced, Noninvasive ECP Therapy Treats Angina

If you or someone you love is 1 of the 6 million sufferers of angina, a noninvasive and drug-free treatment at ProHealth Care's Regional Heart & Vascular Center may help. External Counterpulsation Therapy (ECP) can help patients with stable angina who have been unresponsive to other therapies.

What is Angina?

Angina (ann-GYE-na) is the pain you feel when your heart doesn't get as much blood and oxygen as it needs.  Symptoms of angina include:

• Chest tightness or heaviness
• Pressure, squeezing or burning in the chest
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Sense that something is very wrong
• Indigestion or gas-like pain
• Feeling sick to stomach, throwing up

Benefits of ECP Therapy

ECP therapy can reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of angina. It offers the realistic possibility of returning to normal, daily activities without pain, side effects or angina medication.

An ECP therapy program consists of one-hour treatments for 5 days a week over 7 weeks. Comfortable pressure cuffs around the legs inflate and deflate to the rhythm of the patient's heartbeat to increase blood flow in the heart muscle.

As the collateral blood flow to the heart improves, patients experience a decrease in symptoms and improved energy level.

After completing the 7-week ECP therapy program, 80% of patients report:

• Significant relief from angina
• Increased endurance
• Reduced dependence on medication

Learn more about ECP Therapy

Talk to your physician to see if ECP therapy is right for you, or call the Regional Heart and Vascular Center with metro Milwaukee area locations in:

• Waukesha at (262) 928-2330 
• Oconomowoc at (262) 928-8880