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TREATMENT INTEGRATION

How Is EECP Evaluated Alongside Your Current Heart Treatment?

If you are receiving cardiology treatment, EECP does not replace your current plan. On this page you can find out how an EECP evaluation is considered together with your existing treatment.

EECP Does Not Replace Your Current Cardiology Treatment

EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) is a complementary option that may be considered in certain cases for people already receiving cardiology treatment for coronary artery disease or angina. However, this does not mean that EECP is an automatic alternative to your current treatment.

Your medication, stent, or bypass decisions were made by your cardiologist based on your specific clinical situation. An EECP evaluation is not carried out to replace this treatment plan, but in collaboration with your cardiologist, to see whether it can complement your existing plan. You can find general information about our treatment process on our Treatment Process page, and basic information about what EECP is on our What Is EECP? page. For a concrete example regarding ongoing complaints after a stent or bypass, you can read this article.

Core Principles of the Evaluation

Not an Automatic Alternative

EECP is not recommended as a replacement for your current treatment; the evaluation is always considered together with your existing treatment plan.

Medication Decisions Belong to Your Doctor

The heart medications you take are changed or discontinued only by the decision of the doctor following you, even once an EECP evaluation begins.

A Stent Decision Does Not Change

A stent decision already made, or one that may be needed in the future, is not postponed or altered by the patient on their own.

A Bypass Decision Does Not Change

Similarly, a bypass operation decision is made and changed only through the clinical evaluation of your cardiovascular team.

In Which Situations Might an EECP Evaluation Come Up?

If any of the following situations applies to you, you can discuss with your cardiologist whether an EECP evaluation would be appropriate.

For Those Who Have Previously Had a Stent

In some patients, chest pain or exertional limitation may continue after a stent. In this case, an EECP evaluation may come up in addition to current treatment; any decision regarding the stent itself is not something the patient decides on their own.

For Those Who Have Previously Had Bypass Surgery

Similarly, in the period after bypass surgery, if symptoms continue while cardiology follow-up continues, whether EECP could be a complementary option may be evaluated.

For Patients on Medication Therapy

In patients regularly using anti-anginal or other heart medications, an EECP evaluation can be carried out while medication therapy continues. The dose or type of medication changes only by the doctor's decision.

For Ongoing Angina Complaints

If chest pain complaints continue despite current treatment, this should be shared with your cardiologist, and the suitability of EECP can be evaluated as part of your treatment plan.

For Those Experiencing a Decline in Exertion Capacity

Finding it increasingly difficult to manage effort that was previously manageable in daily activities is a finding that may require your treatment plan to be reviewed again by cardiology.

For Those Who Want Their Treatment Plan Reviewed

If you would like a general review of your current treatment plan, this can be considered a natural part of the evaluation process.

How Does the Evaluation Process Work?

The EECP evaluation is a step-by-step process coordinated with your current treatment plan.

1

Review of Current Treatment Plan

The medications you use, the procedures you have had (stent, bypass), and your recent cardiology reports are reviewed.
2

Cardiology Assessment

Your current clinical condition is assessed together with your treating cardiologist or our clinic's cardiology team.
3

EECP Preliminary Assessment

Your symptoms, exertion capacity, and general health status undergo a preliminary assessment for EECP.
4

Patient Selection

Based on the assessment results, a decision is made as to whether EECP is a suitable option for you.
5

Contraindication Assessment

Screening is carried out for contraindications such as severe heart failure, certain rhythm disorders, or other medical conditions.
6

Integration into Current Treatment

If EECP is found suitable, it is incorporated into the program alongside your current medication and follow-up plan, without changing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I start EECP, can I stop my current medications?

No. Any change to your medication treatment is made only by the decision of the doctor following you. EECP evaluation or treatment does not provide grounds for stopping medication use on your own.

I had a stent placed before — is EECP suitable for me?

This depends on your personal clinical condition and can only be determined after an evaluation. In some patients after a stent, EECP may be considered as a complementary option; however, this evaluation is carried out in collaboration with cardiology.

Can I have an EECP evaluation after having bypass surgery?

Yes, if you have ongoing symptoms in the period after bypass surgery, this evaluation may come up. The decision is made after reviewing your current cardiology status.

Does EECP change my stent or bypass decision?

No. EECP evaluation or treatment does not change a stent or bypass decision already made or one that may be needed in the future. These decisions belong solely to your cardiovascular team.

What do I need to bring for the evaluation?

Bringing your recent cardiology reports, a list of the medications you use, and, if applicable, documents relating to procedures you have had (stent, bypass) will speed up the process.

For your other questions, you can browse our general Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Our Doctor directly.

Let's Evaluate Your Current Treatment Plan Together

Contact our cardiology team to find out whether EECP is a suitable complementary option for you. No change is made to your current treatment, before or after the evaluation, without your consent and your doctor's decision.

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