Trying #EECP at @FlowTherapyEECP today for my #LongCovid
It’s intense but cool. Will try a full course after the holidays.
More in thread below… 1/
2/ What is #EECP?
Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is used for non-invasive treatment of heart conditions like angina.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
3/ What happens when getting #EECP?
During EECP Flow Therapy, patients lie down on a padded table with specialized cuffs (similar to blood pressure cuffs) wrapped around their calves, lower thighs, and hips. They place a 3-lead EKG
4/ When the heart is in diastole (resting phase), these cuffs inflate sequentially from the calves toward the hips. 🫀➡️🦵🏽
This pressure creates blood flow that is similar to exercise–fueling all areas of your cardiovascular system with essential oxygenated blood while you rest.
5/ I’m told an hour of EECP pumps the equivalent amount of blood pumped in a half marathon.
(Which I haven’t been able to do in almost 2 years)
6/ MOA?
The sequential cuff inflation of #EECP creates retrograde pressure wave that augments diastolic pressure, increasing coronary perfusion pressure & venous return to the right heart (increasing preload & cardiac output).
⬆️ growth factors & nitrous oxide.
⬇️inflam cytokines
7/ Data on #EECP in #LongCovid?
Research was presented at @ACCinTouch on 50 patients.
🚶🏽♀️Functional capacity using the DASI assessment improved by 20 points (range 0-58.2)
🥱Fatigue levels using the PROMIS score decreased by 6 points (Range 4-20)
acc.org/About-ACC/Pres…
8/
2 other posters presented at AHA in November…
🧠Including how #EECP helps in cognitive impairment in #LongCovid.
Knowing #LongCovid is endothelial dysfunction & immunothrombosis, of course @FlowTherapyEECP has been extremely impactful.
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.