EECP- The Most Underutilized Therapy in Medicine

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Jack Clifford joins PodcastDX to share how severe chronic angina once limited even everyday activities and left him facing the possibility of triple-bypass surgery. After researching options and advocating for a referral, Jack began Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP), a noninvasive outpatient therapy in which timed leg cuffs inflate and deflate in sync with the heartbeat. He describes the gradual improvement he experienced after treatment and why he has devoted more than 700 hours to EECP, written EECP: The Most Under Utilized Therapy in Medicine, and founded EECPLocator.com to help others learn about the therapy.

The episode stresses that EECP is not a cure or a replacement for individualized medical care; rather, it may be an option for selected people with chronic stable angina who continue to have symptoms despite medical treatment and are not good candidates for additional stents or bypass surgery. Jack's central message is one of informed, respectful self-advocacy: ask questions, understand the risks and benefits, and work with a qualified cardiology team to determine what is appropriate for your individual situation.