ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP/DNA):Senior cardiologist, Dr Raja Mehdi Hassan has highlighted Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) therapy as an effective, non-invasive treatment for heart patients, particularly those with chronic angina, heart failure, or post-heart attack complications.Talking to APP here on Tuesday, he said that cardiovascular diseases are increasing rapidly in Pakistan due to unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and delayed diagnosis. “Many patients suffer fatal heart attacks during their first episode, with younger adults at higher risk due to underdeveloped collateral blood vessels”, he added.
Dr Mehdi explained that arterial blockages develop gradually, often beginning in early childhood, as fats and calcium accumulate in arterial walls. He said that most patients remain symptom-free until blockages exceed 70 per cent, after which chest pain, breathlessness, and fatigue appear.
He noted that early screening, including lipid profile, blood pressure, blood sugar and Body Mass Index (BMI) is crucial for prevention. Conventional treatment options include medications, angioplasty with stenting, and coronary artery bypass surgery, he said adding that some patients are either unfit for surgery, elderly, or reluctant to undergo invasive procedures.
In such cases, he maintained that EECP provides a viable alternative. He said that the FDA-approved therapy improves blood flow by externally compressing the lower limbs, stimulating collateral circulation and enhancing heart muscle perfusion.
Dr Mehdi clarified that EECP is not suitable for all patients and must be administered after a thorough medical evaluation. “It is particularly beneficial for patients with persistent angina, post-heart attack symptoms, heart failure, or those who have exhausted conventional treatment options”, he noted.
He emphasised that no cardiac intervention is permanent without lifestyle modifications. “Healthy eating, regular exercise, weight management, and routine medical check-ups are essential to sustain long-term benefits,” he said and added that patients must understand that even after procedures like stenting or bypass, arterial blockages can recur if lifestyle adjustments are neglected.
Dr Mehdi urged the public to maintain awareness of heart health, undergo routine check-ups, and consider EECP as a safe alternative for improving quality of life when other treatment options are limited. He also highlighted that cardiology associations worldwide, including the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and European College of Cardiology, recognise the benefits of EECP for appropriate patients.
