Edd,
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Edd's StoryEdd had a triple bypass in 1997 and more recently had additional surgery to implant a stent to help keep his coronary arteries open. The stent did not completely solve his problem and his cardiologist felt that EECP might help clear his obstructed circulation. After completing EECP treatment, Edd's angina pain has been dramatically reduced. He has reduced his angina medicine from 50 tablets every two weeks to 2 tablets, or just one tablet a week. Interviewer: How severe was your angina? Edd: It was bad. I was waking up several times every night and would take a pill to stop the pain. I also took pills whenever I was active. I was taking about 50 pills every two weeks. I now take one pill a week. Interviewer: What was the EECP treatment like? Edd: I got comfortable with it pretty quickly. I found the treatments restful. Interviewer: Have you been more active since you completed EECP? Edd: I am definitely more active. I can do all of the things I need to get done around the house and at work without any difficulty and I feel a lot more energetic. I am restarting cardiac rehab next week. Before EECP, I tried rehab to help strengthen my heart muscles but I had to give it up because it was just too painful. I think now I am ready to give it a try again. The pain is mostly gone. Interviewer: What would you say to someone who was considering EECP? Edd: I would say, what do you have to lose? EECP is easy. All you do is lie there. |
