Brian's Story

Brian Wooley on his bikeInterviewer: How did you hear about Granite Medical's EECP program?

Brian: My cardiologist at Brigham and Women's suggested I try EECP. After my heart attack and surgery, I just didn't feel good. I asked my cardiologist if there was anything I could do about it and he referred me to Dr. Berrick at Granite Medical.

I met with Dr. Berrick who reviewed my case and said I was a good candidate. The problem was that my insurance did not cover for people under 62 years. At the time I was 48. People who know me well say I'm "not one to give up" so I made lots of calls and wrote a lot of letters and got them to approve it.

Interviewer: What was the EECP treatment like?

Brian: It took a little getting used to as the pressure cuffs inflate and deflate. During the treatment I would talk to my wife, my brother, my mother, or my father who all went with me at one time or another. They all found it fascinating. It was relaxing and sometimes we would watch TV.

It was a lot better than the surgery I had had.* I wish more insurance companies would pay so more people could get EECP.

*Brian had open heart surgery in April 2000.

Interviewer: How severe was your angina?

Brian: I took nitro once in a while and some other meds for pain. I'm not taking any meds for angina pain now.

Interviewer: Have you been more active since you completed EECP?

Brian: I'm a lot more active. I can ride my bike and climb stairs a lot easier today. I was getting tightness in my chest and shortness of breath. I'm too young to be less active. I did EECP over two years ago and am still doing fine.

I'm a "Parrothead." It's a group of Jimmy Buffett fans who go to his concerts together and between concerts we have get togethers and perform community actions like cleaning beaches and raising money for good causes. It's a fun group and it keeps me very active.

Interviewer: What would you say to someone who was considering EECP?

Brian: Do it. Watch the videos and do it. After I watched the video I decided that it looked like a good idea and I did it. I was not feeling well and wanted to feel better.

After only about 2 weeks I started to feel better and it's been 2 years and I'm feeling great.