Flow Therapy

Flow Therapy: Non-Invasive EECP Therapy for Angina and Heart Failure

Flow Therapy presents itself as a provider specializing in Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP), a non-invasive, FDA-cleared heart treatment that increases blood flow, reduces symptoms, and helps patients regain energy. The company states that it has more than 20 years of experience in the field of EECP and operates 11 treatment centers in the United States, with plans for expansion. It also notes that more than 1,000 cardiologists and other physicians refer patients to its facilities.

What EECP Is and How It Works

According to the company's information, EECP is a counterpulsation therapy that inflates cuffs placed on the legs in sync with the heartbeat. This process pushes oxygenated blood toward the coronary arteries and, over a full course of treatment, stimulates the formation of small collateral vessels that route around blockages, creating a kind of natural bypass. The treatment requires no incisions, anesthesia, or recovery time, and its benefits can last for years after sessions end.

Conditions It Treats

Flow Therapy states that EECP is FDA-cleared and clinically proven for a range of cardiovascular conditions. These include:

• Angina: for patients with stable or chronic angina, EECP reduces chest pain episodes, decreases nitrate use, improves exercise tolerance, and increases energy.
• Heart failure: in patients with Class II–III heart failure, EECP can improve cardiac output, quality of life, and 6-minute walk distance.
• Coronary artery disease: the therapy encourages the formation of natural bypasses around blocked or narrowed arteries, improving blood flow without the risks of stents or open-heart surgery.
• Non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA): common in women and often underdiagnosed, it causes angina-like symptoms without major blockages. EECP improves microvascular function in cases where stents and bypass cannot help.

What a Session Is Like

The full treatment consists of 35 one-hour sessions over 7 weeks. Each session takes place in a comfortable, climate-controlled room; the patient remains fully clothed, reclining on a padded treatment table, while the system works quietly and rhythmically. During the session, the person can read, sleep, watch TV, or listen to music. No anesthesia or needles are used, there is no recovery time, and the patient can drive before and after each appointment. Cuffs are placed on the calves, thighs, and hips, and inflate sequentially (first calves, then thighs, and finally hips) synchronized with the resting phase of the heartbeat.

Reported Clinical Benefits

According to published information, clinical studies show that between 75% and 80% of patients experienced a reduction of at least one angina functional class (CCS), with fewer episodes and less pain intensity. Increased exercise tolerance, decreased nitrate use, and improved quality of life are also observed. Clinical benefits can persist for 2 to 5 years after treatment as collateral vessels mature and stabilize. The company highlights that EECP has an exceptional safety profile, with no significant adverse events, and that it is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance for patients who meet the criteria. The Flow Therapy team handles eligibility, prior authorization, and billing.

Scientific Evidence and Recognition

Flow Therapy mentions that EECP has been studied in more than 500 peer-reviewed publications worldwide. Notable clinical trials include the MUST-EECP study (1999), a randomized controlled trial of 139 patients published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, which demonstrated a significant improvement in time to exercise-induced ST-segment depression; the PEECH study (2006), with 187 patients, which showed improvements in exercise duration and quality of life in Class II–III heart failure; and the 5-year International EECP Patient Registry from the University of Pittsburgh (Loh 2008), with 1,427 patients. In addition, EECP is recommended in the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association for patients with angina who are not candidates for revascularization.

Track Record and Reach

The company reports more than 50,000 patients treated and more than 20 years of experience in EECP care. It currently operates 11 treatment centers in the United States and continues to expand. Flow Therapy serves both patients seeking non-invasive alternatives for their heart symptoms and medical professionals who wish to refer patients. It offers a free consultation and an online evaluation to determine whether EECP is right for each case.