EECP Therapy for Provo and South Utah County

How far is it? (approximate)

From downtown Provo, take I-15 north past Orem, American Fork and Lehi, over Point of the Mountain, and exit at 12300 South in Draper. Go east to Draper Parkway. The trip is about 29 miles, roughly 35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. From Springville or Spanish Fork, add another 10 to 20 minutes.

By FrontRunner. Provo Central station is the southern end of the FrontRunner line. FrontRunner's Draper station (12997 S. FrontRunner Blvd.) is about three miles west of the clinic. UTA Route 126 and UTA On Demand South Valley both serve the FrontRunner station and Draper Town Center, so you can connect without a car. FrontRunner runs Monday through Saturday only. The train ride itself is a relaxing alternative to I-15, though the full trip takes longer than driving.

An honest look at the commitment

A full course is usually 35 one-hour sessions over about seven weeks. From Provo, that is a significant amount of travel. Before you start, we will talk through:

• Whether a five-day-a-week schedule fits your life, or whether another schedule is reasonable for you
• Who can drive you if you would rather not drive yourself every day
• What results are realistic, and what are not
• What happens if weather or illness means you miss a few days (we reschedule; progress is not lost)

Some Provo patients decide the drive is worth it. Others decide it is not. Both are reasonable, and the consultation is free.

Provo's hospitals

Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital in Provo is the region's major heart center, with cardiology, heart surgery and cardiac rehab. Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem also serves the area. Thrive EECP is not affiliated with either. Your cardiologist can help you decide whether EECP is worth considering alongside the care you already receive.

Plain facts about EECP

EECP (enhanced external counterpulsation) uses cuffs on the calves, thighs and buttocks that inflate and deflate in sync with your heartbeat, guided by an EKG. Inflation during the heart's resting phase pushes more blood back to the heart; deflation before each beat reduces its workload.

• The FDA has cleared it for chronic stable angina and certain heart failure patients.
• Medicare has covered it for qualifying patients with chronic stable angina.
• Studies show many patients have less angina and better exercise tolerance after a full course.
• It is noninvasive and done lying down, with no needles or anesthesia.
• It is not a cure, and benefits vary.

A note for university families

Provo is home to Brigham Young University, and many of our Provo calls come from adult children or grandchildren researching options for parents or grandparents who live nearby. We are happy to answer questions by phone first and to include family members in the consultation.

Altitude and the outdoors

Provo sits at about 4,550 feet, at the foot of Y Mountain and close to Provo Canyon. Some people with heart conditions find that elevation and steep trails make symptoms more noticeable. If walking the Provo River Parkway or climbing stairs at a BYU game has become hard, that is worth mentioning at your consultation.

Safety screening

EECP is not appropriate for everyone. People with certain irregular heart rhythms, significant aortic valve leakage (aortic insufficiency), a recent blood clot in the legs, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe peripheral artery disease, or who are pregnant may not be candidates. We review your history and medications before you begin.

Treatment takes place only at our clinic at 1111 E. Draper Parkway, Suite 118, Draper, UT 84020. We do not have an office in Provo.