EECP for Sandy Residents, a Short Drive South

Why distance decides whether people finish

EECP is not a single procedure. The standard course in clinical studies was 35 one-hour sessions over about seven weeks. For patients who live an hour away, that commitment is the biggest obstacle, and some never start. For Sandy residents it can be about as manageable as a trip to the gym or the grocery store.

Routes from Sandy (approximate)

• From central Sandy: Head south on State Street or 700 East into Draper and turn onto Draper Parkway. About 7 to 12 minutes.
• From east Sandy and the foothills: Many people use 1300 East or Highland Drive south toward Draper, then cut west. About 10 to 15 minutes.
• From west Sandy near I-15: Take I-15 south one exit to 12300 South, then go east to Draper Parkway. About 10 minutes.

By TRAX. The Blue Line runs through Sandy, with stations including Sandy Expo, Sandy Civic Center, Crescent View and Kimballs Lane, and ends at Draper Town Center. Draper Town Center station, the southern end of the TRAX Blue Line at 1131 E. Pioneer Road, is about a quarter mile from our clinic, roughly a five-minute walk (approximate). For Sandy riders it is a short, transfer-free trip.

Heart care Sandy residents already use

Sandy is home to Intermountain Alta View Hospital. Many residents also see cardiologists at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, at University of Utah Health clinics, or at Lone Peak Hospital in Draper. Thrive EECP is an independent clinic and is not affiliated with any of these. If you are under a cardiologist's care, we recommend talking with them about EECP before you start.

How a session works

You change into snug, seamless athletic pants we provide so there are no wrinkles under the cuffs. We check your blood pressure, pulse and weight and ask how you have been feeling since your last visit. Then you lie on a padded table and the cuffs are wrapped around your calves, thighs and buttocks. EKG leads let the system time each squeeze to the resting phase of your heartbeat.

You will feel firm, rhythmic pressure moving up your legs with each heartbeat. Most people read, listen to music, talk or simply rest. After about an hour the cuffs come off and you go about your day. You'll be more comfortable if you skip eating or drinking for an hour or two before a session.

What the evidence supports

The FDA has cleared EECP for chronic stable angina and for certain patients with heart failure. Studies and large patient registries have reported fewer angina episodes and better exercise tolerance in many patients after a full course. Individual results vary, and EECP is not a cure for heart disease. It is meant to work alongside your medications and your doctor's plan, not replace them.

A common Sandy question: what if I already had a stent?

Many of the people who call us from Sandy have already had a stent or bypass and still have symptoms. Often EECP is still an option. In fact, the FDA and Medicare criteria were written with patients in mind who continue to have angina despite standard treatment, or who are not good candidates for another procedure. Your consultation is where we look at your specific history.

Life in Sandy

Sandy has an active, outdoorsy population, with the Dimple Dell trails, the Jordan River Parkway and the canyons close by. Plenty of people who call us want to get back to walking those trails, playing with grandkids at a neighborhood park, or simply doing errands without stopping to catch their breath. We won't promise an outcome, but we'll talk openly about realistic expectations.

Before you start

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 Sandy.