A Non-Invasive Option May Help Some Patients with Angina, Heart Failure

Patients being treated for chronic chest pain or heart failure at ThedaCare now have a new option that may help improve their quality of life.

The option is called Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP). It’s a non-invasive treatment designed to help improve blood flow to the heart and reduce symptoms of angina (chronic chest pain) and congestive heart failure. This therapy, offered at ThedaCare since March 2026, is generally used to treat patients who aren’t candidates for invasive procedures like stents or bypass surgery.

Angina is a health condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It’s often described as squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in the chest. It can also spread to a person’s shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, abdomen or back.

Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. That can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

May Benefit Quality of Life

Dr. Ameer Kabour, a Cardiologist and Medical Director of ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care, said EECP treatment may help improve the quality of life for some patients living with angina or congestive heart failure.

“Over a period of about seven weeks, patients undergo EECP treatments five days per week,” he said. “These treatments may help patients improve the blood flow to their heart, which may lead to reduced symptoms and an ability for patients to tolerate more physical activity. That can mean a noticeable and improved quality of life for some.”

The treatment, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, may also help decrease a patient’s dependency on medications used to help manage the symptoms associated with their heart condition, Dr. Kabour said.

How EECP Works

EECP uses a specialized bed and inflatable cuffs that are wrapped around a patient’s legs and buttocks. The cuffs alternate between inflation when the heart is resting and deflation during the pumping period of the heartbeat. Over time, the repeated increase in blood flow may help stimulate the development of new blood vessels that can naturally bypass blocked arteries.

“With this treatment, we aim to provide non-invasive relief to address symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath for patients who are no longer eligible for more invasive procedures or additional medication interventions but are still experiencing very debilitating symptoms,” Dr. Kabour said. “This therapy is illustrative of our commitment to providing locally-based and easily accessible high-quality, comprehensive cardiac care to the people in northeast and central Wisconsin.”

Support from the Community

Support from ThedaCare Foundation-Appleton helped facilitate ThedaCare’s purchase of the EECP technology.

“The Foundation is able to facilitate the purchase of innovative technologies and treatments such as EECP thanks to the generous and continued support of our donors,” said Barbara Beuscher, CFRE, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, ThedaCare Family of Foundations. “We are proud to support ThedaCare’s efforts to ensure that the people in our local communities have the ability to receive such technologically advanced health care services, here, when they need it.”

For more information or to make an appointment, visit ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including 10 hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.