This information is intended as a guide to patients thinking about EECP as a possible treatment.
Is EECP suitable for my condition?
What does it feel like to have EECP?
How should I prepare for EECP treatment?
What’s the next step to getting EECP?
Is EECP suitable for my condition?
You may be a candidate for EECP if you:
- Have chronic stable angina or diagnosed heart failure.
- Are not receiving adequate relief from angina by taking medication.
- Do not qualify as a candidate for invasive procedures.
- Have exhausted invasive treatments without lasting relief of symptoms.
- Are unwilling to undergo surgery or angioplasty.
- Want to explore alternatives to bypass surgery or angioplasty.
Does EECP offer new hope?
For patients who have undergone multiple invasive procedures and for whom addition surgery carries excessive risk, EECP may be the only way to obtain relief form severe angina or heart failure symptoms.
There is an increasing trend internationally for patients who have significant risk factors such as obesity, strong family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and high blood pressure to undergo self-funded EECP treatment on a prophylactic basis (i.e. before the onset of angina or heart problems).
Please contact us or speak to your doctor if you are unsure if EECP may be suitable for your condition. Suitability for EECP treatment must be decided by a qualified physician.
What does it feel like to have EECP? Top
- The cuffs around the legs inflate and deflate in time with your heart beat. The cuff sensation is similar to having your blood pressure taken by your doctor or practice nurse, similar to a firm massage but should not be painful.
- Many people listen to music or audiotapes, others just relax or enjoy talking to our fully qualified nurses who stay with our patients throughout the course of the treatment.
- If you wish to speak to a patient who has had EECP therapy then this can be arranged by the clinic. All our patients have the opportunity to see the EECP bed before decisions regarding treatment.
- The treatment is carried out in our comfortable and well-equipped clinics with one-to one nursing support throughout and supervisory doctors on the clinic site.
- We ensure our clinics have the highest level of privacy, courtesy and confidentiality.
How should I prepare for EECP treatment?
- We recommend that for your comfort that you do not have a large meal or lots of caffeine and fluids within two hours of starting treatment.
- We can easily interrupt treatment for a toilet break but it is best if possible to have a continuous treatment session of one hour.
- We will provide you with a pair of tight thin trousers to minimise any rubbing from the cuffs and recommend that you moisturise your legs between treatments. You may wish to put these on at home under your clothing or use our private changing area.
NHS Funding & Reimbursement Top
NHS
- EECP is funded by many PCT’s on a named patient basis. In order to apply for NHS funding you will need to meet certain clinical criteria which will be assessed by a Consultant Cardiologist. We will need to work in consultation with your GP and Cardiologist. Please contact the Dove Clinic for further details (Contact Us)
Private Health Insurance
- The majority of private health insurer’s in the UK will reimburse EECP treatment. Please contact the Dove Clinic for further details (Contact Us)
Self-Funded
- You may chose to have EECP on a self-funding basis. Please contact the Dove Clinic for further details (Contact Us)
What’s the next step to getting EECP? Top
- If you are interested in finding out more about EECP treatment and assessing your suitability, or to book a free assessment appointment:
- Telephone: 01962 717061 or 0207 580 8886
- Fax: 01962 717060
- By post: The Dove Clinic, The Old Brewery, Queen Street, Twyford, Hampshire. SO21 1RG
- Email: For brochures and bookings or request a copy of the Patient and Physician’s Guide to EECP: secretaries@doveclinic.com
- Or contact Dr Richard Fuller: richard.fuller@doveclinic.com
You will initially be seen for a free assessment with one of our Doctors and have an opportunity to gather information and see the EECP bed at the Dove Clinic. As appropriate, a further assessment will subsequently take place with a Consultant Cardiologist in either Winchester or London.