External Counterpulsation Treatment: A Non-Invasive Path to Heart Health

External counterpulsation treatment (ECP) is a groundbreaking therapy that can help improve heart health without the need for invasive surgery. Also known as EECP, it’s a safe, effective, and painless treatment that can help your body grow new arteries, a process called angiogenesis.

A close-up of the monitor of an External Counterpulsation Treatment machine displaying an active ECG waveform and vital signs relevant to cardiac function, used at a clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The monitor of an External Counterpulsation (ECP) machine displays a patient’s vital signs and ECG waveform, illustrating the technology used in this non-invasive heart treatment.

What is External Counterpulsation Treatment?

This particular external counterpulsation treatment (ECP) was invented at Harvard University as a therapy for angina pain. It has since become a safe, effective, and painless treatment for a range of cardiovascular conditions. This specific external counterpulsation treatment (ECP)’s primary goal is to stimulate the growth of new arteries—a process called angiogenesis—while also improving the function of your existing arteries and heart.

If you have stable coronary artery disease, are dealing with heart failure, or are simply proactive about your cardiovascular health, this ECP therapy might be the right choice for you.

How Does External Counterpulsation Treatment Work?

External counterpulsation treatment (ECP) is a program designed for maximum impact, with sessions that are 1 hour long, and a typical course of thirty-five sessions completed within two months.

During a session of ECP treatment, you will lie comfortably on a treatment table while pneumatic cuffs—similar to blood pressure cuffs—are wrapped around your lower legs and buttocks. These cuffs are precisely timed to your cardiac cycle. They inflate and deflate in rhythm with your heartbeat to gently yet powerfully force blood flow back toward your heart. This rhythmic process helps the heart accommodate extra blood flow, which encourages the creation of new arteries to improve cardiac output and coronary perfusion.

Benefits of External Counterpulsation Treatment

A smiling senior couple in Vancouver, British Columbia, potentially benefiting from External Counterpulsation Treatment, sitting at a kitchen table and forming a heart shape with their hands, symbolizing heart health and togetherness.
Happy and healthy, this senior couple expresses their love and well-being with a symbolic heart gesture, potentially reflecting the positive impact of treatments like EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION on their quality of life.

External counterpulsation treatment (ECP) offers benefits that aren’t limited to just your heart; they can have systemic effects that improve your entire body’s well-being. The primary reasons for undergoing this ECP treatment are:

  1. It helps your heart function.
  2. It helps your arteries function.
  3. It grows new arteries (angiogenesis), which increases blood flow and creates a natural bypass for a healthier heart.

This natural bypass, or angiogenesis, is what sets this ECP treatment apart. It’s your body’s innate ability to create new pathways for blood to flow, ensuring your heart muscle gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs to thrive.

Your Safety is Our Priority: The Heart Fit Clinic Process

While ECP treatment has minimal risks, it’s not for everyone. Your heart and safety are our number one priority. Before starting any treatment, The Heart Fit Clinic conducts a thorough cardiac assessment, including an ECG and other diagnostic testing, to ensure that you are a suitable candidate. We follow a strict process to guarantee 100% safety. Please contact our clinic to determine your eligibility.

Who is External Counterpulsation Treatment For?

A middle-aged man in Vancouver, British Columbia, clutching his chest and appearing to experience discomfort, a condition that External Counterpulsation Treatment may help address.
Experiencing chest pain or discomfort can be a sign of a cardiac issue, a common symptom that can be addressed by treatments like External Counterpulsation (ECP).

External counterpulsation treatment (ECP) is suitable for a wide range of individuals, including:

  • Patients with stable coronary artery disease
  • Individuals with heart failure
  • Anyone concerned about their cardiovascular health
  • Those with angina pain
  • Patients considering an angiogram or heart surgery
  • Individuals with failed stents or bypass surgery

Why Choose The Heart Fit Clinic for External Counterpulsation Treatment?

The Heart Fit Clinic is dedicated to providing a personalized and evidence-based approach to heart health. We are confident in our program and happy to connect you with other patients who have experienced the life-changing benefits of this ECP treatment. You are also more than welcome to visit our clinic to see us in action and learn more about how we can help you take control of your heart health.

What Do Cardiologists Think About External Counterpulsation Treatment?

While cardiologists use a broad range of treatments for cardiovascular diseases, the Heart Fit Clinic specializes in prevention and rehabilitation. This external counterpulsation treatment (ECP) may not be part of every cardiologist’s standard toolkit; however, many cardiologists are highly supportive of its use and recognize its significant benefits.

Our Locations: Your Partner in Heart Health

Taking control of your heart health is a powerful step, and at the Heart Fit Clinic, we are ready to partner with you on this journey. Our expert team and comprehensive services are available at multiple convenient locations to serve you better. You can find us in:

  • Calgary: 10601 Southport Road SW, Suite 203, Calgary, AB T2W 3M6.
  • Edmonton: 11910 111 Avenue, Suite 120, Edmonton, AB T5G 0E5.
  • Vancouver: 1126 Douglas Rd #106, Burnaby, BC V5C 4Z6.
  • London, ON: 230 Victoria Street, Suite 205, London, ON N6A 2B9.
  • Toronto: 491 Lawrence Avenue West, Suite 405, Toronto, ON. M2M 1C7.

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