Heart Disease & Stroke
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates the repair of damaged heart and brain tissue, improves circulation, even the growth of new blood vessels. It helps stoke patients to regain function much faster, far surpassing what their doctor thought possible, even years after the stroke or heart attack!
- Shown statistically significant improvements in all memory measures and indicate that it can lead to significant neurological improvements in post-stroke patients even at chronic late stages.
- Hyperbaric therapy infuses the body with oxygen, increasing levels up to 1,000% in body tissues, getting oxygen to parts of the brain that have been dormant, waking it up.
- The increased oxygen levels in blood and plasma oxygenate tissues that have been starved, inducing such healing processes as the proliferation of fibroblasts, cells that promote connective tissue growth, and increased angiogenesis (growth of new healthy blood vessels).
- This method of improving oxygenation and healing processes supports a reduction in the damage suffered in heart disease.
Priming the Pump
There are many conditions that affect the heart and it’s not easy to generalize them all in one category. Many of these conditions will have their own pages here on this website for further resources, but we can summarize the symptoms and discuss how hyperbaric therapy may help.
Generally, heart diseases may be triggered by damage to heart tissue, damage to blood vessels leading to or from the heart and insufficient oxygen or other nutrients getting to the heart. There are many reasons these issues can occur, ranging from genetic defects, to injuries or even unhealthy lifestyle choices. Types of heart diseases include: coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, aortic aneurysm, cardiac arrest, peripheral artery disease, high blood pressure and many more.
Patients with heart diseases may experience a wide variety of symptoms that include chest pain, respiratory distress, irregular heart rate, cold, swollen or discolored extremities, dizziness, fainting, and dysfunction of other organs.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been prescribed by physicians as an adjunctive modality for many heart related conditions. Hyperbarics has been proven to increase blood and oxygen flow to the entire body, generate new blood vessels (angiogenesis), as well as stimulate genes responsible for tissue growth and repair. These mechanisms of action may improve patient outcomes by delivering oxygen to hypoxic areas, reducing inflammation to injured tissue, and by stimulating the growth of stem cells, new blood vessels and tissues.
2020 Study on Myocardial Function and HBOT
Leitman M, Efrati S, Fuchs S, Hadanny A, Vered Z. The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy on myocardial function. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2020 May;36(5):833-840. doi: 10.1007/s10554-020-01773-0. Epub 2020 Jan 17. PMID: 31953651
Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy is successfully implemented for the treatment of several disorders. Data on the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on echocardiographic parameters in asymptomatic patients is limited. The current study sought to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy on echocardiographic parameters in asymptomatic patients. Thirty-one consecutive patients underwent a 60-sessions course of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy in an attempt to improve cognitive impairment. In all subjects, echocardiography examination was performed before and after a course of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy. Conventional and speckle tracking imaging parameters were calculated and analyzed. The mean age was 70 ± 9.5 years, 28 [90%] were males. History of coronary artery disease was present in 12 [39%]. 94% suffered from hypertension, 42% had diabetes mellitus. Baseline wall motion abnormalities were found in eight patients, however, global ejection fraction was within normal limits. During the study, ejection fraction [EF], increased from 60.71 ± 6.02 to 62.29 ± 5.19%, p = 0.02. Left ventricular end systolic volume [LVESV], decreased from 38.08 ± 13.30 to 35.39 ± 13.32 ml, p = 0.01. Myocardial performance index [MPi] improved, from 0.29 ± 0.07 to 0.26 ± 0.08, p = 0.03. Left ventricular [LV] global longitudinal strain increased from – 19.31 ± 3.17% to – 20.16 ± 3.34%, p = 0.036 due to improvement in regional strain in the apical and antero-septal segments. Twist increased from 18.32 ± 6.61° to 23.12 ± 6.35° p = 0.01, due to improvement in the apical rotation, from 11.76 ± 4.40° to 16.10 ± 5.56°, p = 0.004. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears to improve left ventricular function, especially in the apical segments, and is associated with better cardiac performance. If our results are confirmed in further studies, HBOT can be used in many patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction.
See Testimonial Videos Of Stroke Patients' Experiences
Heart Disease and Hyperbarics: Studies, Articles and Videos
Acute Myocardial Infarction and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Study
Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study showed that HBOT application that accompanied the acute MI traditional pharmacotherapy was proved to reduce rMI within 5 years following inpatient discharge (rate of rMI was 14% in the reference group and 5.4% in the test group, χ 2 = 13.3, р < 0.05). Therefore, the joint application of HBOT and traditional method in treating acute MI makes it possible to raise the 5-year survival rate from 84.4% up to 95.9%.
Can hyperbaric oxygen be used as adjunctive heart failure therapy?
Jeysen Zivan Yogaratnam 1, Gerard Laden, Levant Guvendik, Mike Cowen, Alex Cale, Steve Griffin
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition that is expected to increase in incidence along with increased life expectancy and an aging population. As the incidence of HF increases, the cost to national healthcare budgets is expected to run into the billions. The costs of lost productivity and increased social reliance on state support must also be considered. Recently, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has come to be seen as the major contributing factor to HF. Although thrombolysis may restore coronary perfusion after an AMI, it may also introduce ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI). In an attempt to ameliorate sustained protein damage caused by IRI, endogenous chaperone proteins known as heat shock proteins (HSPs) are induced as a consequence of the stress of IRI. Recently, hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to induce the production of HSPs in noncardiac tissue, with a resultant protective effect. This current opinion review article suggests a possible role for hyperbaric oxygen, as a technologically modern drug, in augmenting the induction of endogenous HSPs to repair and improve the function of failing hearts that have been damaged by AMI and IRI. In addition, this simple, safe, noninvasive drug may prove useful in easing the economic burden of HF on already overextended health resources.
To Read Full Study, Click Here
Angiogenesis increased through hyperbarics: A study
Conclusion: Short-term hyperbaric exposure appears to increase angiogenesis in isolated tissue constructs. Prolonged hyperbaric exposure may lead to vascular pruning. Short-term hyperbaric exposure appears to expedite the natural vascularization process, resulting in equivalent vascularization in a shorter time.
For complete study click here.
Sternal infection post cardiothoracic surgery & hyperbarics
HBO2 counteracts tissue hypoxia by elevating tissue oxygen partial pressure, promotes wound healing, has the synergistic effect when combined with some antibiotics and prevents infection. In this study, all patients who received HBO2 therapy as an adjunctive treatment for post-cardiothoracic surgery related sternal infection and osteomyelitis achieved a favorable result. We suggest a combination of aggressive surgical debridement, antibiotic treatment and adjunctive HBO2 therapy for patients who develop sternal infection and osteomyelitis after cardiothoracic surgery.
For complete study click here.
About Our "Stronglife" Hyperbaric Oxygen Clinic
About Dr. AJ Ludlow, DPT
About Dr. AJ Ludlow, DPT
Dr. AJ Ludlow is passionate about finding the most innovative ways to keep his patients from being in pain and struggling with debilitating disease for years. He wants to bring the best medical technology the world can offer to the state he loves and the people he wants most to help.
A California native, but has lived a total of 15+ years in Utah between receiving his undergraduate at Brigham Young University and his doctorate at the University of Utah, he now calls Utah his home!
He has traveled and researched extensively to find the most effective solutions for injury and pain. What someone would have once had to travel outside the US for, is now available right here in Provo, UT.
A California native, but has lived a total of 15+ years in Utah between receiving his undergraduate at Brigham Young University and his doctorate at the University of Utah, he now calls Utah his home!
He has traveled and researched extensively to find the most effective solutions for injury and pain. What someone would have once had to travel outside the US for, is now available right here in Provo, UT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of hyperbaric chamber do you use?
We use soft chambers that reach 1.3 atmospheres of pressure. This is considered mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy and has several advantages over hard chambers. When it comes to pressure with HBOT, more is not necessarily better. Most chronic or non-emergency conditions respond better to lower pressures. You still get a healing dose of oxygen and pressure without the higher risks that come with higher pressure chambers. It is much more affordable than hard chamber sessions and it is even available for home use for those who have a hard time coming into the office for the recommended number of treatments.
Am I a good candidate if my Doctor doesn’t think it will help?
A study found that 75% of medical schools offer little to no education on hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Most doctors have very limited understanding of hyperbarics. A practitioner with specialized knowledge of hyperbaric oxygen therapy will be better suited to answer your questions. When you consider how safe, natural and powerful hyperbarics can be, it is worth doing more research and seeking a second opinion from a knowledgeable practitioner. Many doctors who do educate themselves on hyperbaric oxygen therapy end up being very supportive and even change their practice of medicine to offer it.
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers up to 3x the normal amount of oxygen throughout the body. This helps with healing, reducing inflammation, energy production, digestion, detoxification, concentration, recovery, etc. Many parts of the body do not receive sufficient oxygen, are damaged, or “turned off” because of an illness, or injury. For example tendons do not receive as much blood flow as muscles and are often more likely to be injured or strained. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy gets more oxygen to all parts of the body, reawakening cells, such as brain cells after a stroke, or heart cells after a heart attack. It gives the body a huge advantage to heal, repair and regenerate itself. As a result of the increased oxygen, the part of every cell in your body that produces energy (mitochondria) becomes stronger and more efficient, many negative symptoms from health conditions and aging disappear, and you have more energy and mental clarity. The more sessions you do, the more these changes become permanent. It positively affects your DNA and can turn some negative DNA markers off and turn positive ones on. For example, eliminating many allergic reactions and even putting some diseases into remission.
Does insurance cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is FDA approved, covered by insurance, for 14 conditions, even though many other conditions benefit from this treatment. It is used for over 200 different conditions in other countries with extensive research supporting its use. If hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for any condition other than the 14 approved conditions it will be considered “off label’ and therefore not covered by insurance companies. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a regenerative treatment and insurance companies, unfortunately, have a bad track record of covering regenerative medicine. The FDA approved conditions are: air embolism, gas embolism, acute traumatic ischemia, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, diabetic foot ulcers, exceptional blood loss, decompression sickness, gas gangrene, necrotizing infections, severe anemia, skin grafts and flaps and wound healing. If you have one of the FDA approved conditions it is recommended that you seek care at a facility that can bill insurance for the treatment.
Is hyperbaric oxygen safe?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely safe, especially the type offered at Stronglife. Our chamber goes to 1.3 ATM which is the equivalent pressure of being 10 feet under water. We also provide supplemental oxygen directly to you through a nasal cannula instead of pressurizing the entire chamber with 100%. This means there is no risk of oxygen toxicity and no risk of a small spark causing a fire or explosion, with higher pressure and higher oxygen levels the risks go up.
The main risk with any form of hyperbaric oxygen treatment is the (small) risk of damage to the ear drums. While the chamber is being pressurized, you will notice pressure building in the ears (similar to when on a plane or when under water). It is important to be able to equalize the pressure in your ears by yawning, pinching your nose and swallowing or pinching your nose while yawning. Most people are easily able to equalize the pressure. We will be standing by the whole time to assist with the process, and can pause the chamber or release pressure for those few who have a difficult time.
While the majority of people notice they feel better after their HBOT session, there is at times a detox reaction also known as a Herxheimer reaction. This can result in flu-like symptoms including body aches, mild fever, fatigue, nausea or other symptoms. This is caused when harmful microorganisms die off and move towards elimination in the body. While this can be an unpleasant experience it is actually a good thing because the treatment is helping the body excrete these harmful mircoorganisms from the body like Lyme bacteria, Epstein-Barr Virus, mold toxins and others. After several treatments these symptoms will fade and are replaced by higher energy levels and a greater feeling of wellbeing.
Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy interact with medications:
Very few medications are of concern (listed below).
Bleomycin
Cisplatin
Doxorubicin
Sulfamylon
Disulfiram
Mafernide Acetate
Can I do hyperbaric oxygen therapy if I am claustrophobic:
Yes, we are standing by the entire time to turn off the chamber and let you out at a moment's notice. We have had many claustrophobic patients do the full treatment reporting afterwards that they had a pleasant experience and felt quite relaxed. The hyperbaric oxygen stimulates a relaxation response in the body, and most just read, use their phones or take a nap. Most are also surprised by how roomy the chamber feels on the inside.
What does it feel like to do hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
When asked, patients relate that it is a very relaxing experience. Before you get in we recommend using the bathroom. Then you remove any sharp objects from your pockets and remove your shoes. You climb into the chamber, it is on a platform, for those who have a hard time getting down on the floor. You will have an oxygen tube feeding oxygen directly to your nose.You lie down and relax on a thick pad and pillows. In the first 5 minutes the chamber comes up to pressure during which time you clear your ears multiple times, like when you are on an airplane or going over a summit while driving. After that, you’ll hear fresh air coming in and going out, like white noise. Many patients can sit up if they choose, but most prefer to lay down and relax. The last 5 minutes when it is depressurizing, you can feel some mild pressure on your ears, but most don’t even need to clear or “pop” their ears. Once it has depressurized, we unclasp it and you climb out. Most patients say they feel very relaxed afterward, “like walking on a cloud all day, “ chronic pain patients have told us, “it was the first time in months I wasn’t in pain.” There is no downtime, no need to take off work, you can immediately resume your normal activities.
Are there times it is not advised to do hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
For the following situations, it is not recommended.
Untreated Pneumothorax (punctured lung)
Serious sinus congestion
Sickle Cell Anemia
High Fever
Hereditary Spherocytosis
COPD
Pregnancy
For any questions not addressed here please call or text us, we are happy to answer your specific questions regarding your unique health concerns.
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