#91 Walking Away From Triple Bypass: Jack Clifford’s Experience with EECP
Episode Description
At 47 years old, Jack Clifford was hospitalized with severe coronary artery disease and told that he needed emergency triple bypass surgery. As he reviewed the consent forms and confronted the possibility of not waking up from the procedure, memories of his mother’s difficult experience following bypass surgery weighed heavily on him.
Facing intense pressure to act quickly, Jack made the unexpected decision to leave the hospital against medical advice and investigate whether another option existed.
In this episode of It Happened To Me, Jack joins hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman to share how he discovered enhanced external counterpulsation, commonly known as EECP. He describes the extraordinary lengths he went to access the therapy, what treatment was like, and how the experience changed his understanding of circulation, informed consent, and patient autonomy.
Jack also reflects on why patients may not hear about every potential treatment option, what he learned while researching the healthcare system, and how his personal journey eventually became a book and a mission to help others become more informed and empowered participants in their medical care.
- The moment Jack was told he needed emergency triple bypass surgery
- How his mother’s experience after bypass influenced his decision
- What it was like to leave the hospital against medical advice
- How Jack discovered EECP
- What EECP treatment was like for him physically and emotionally
- The sacrifices he made to access treatment
- When he began noticing changes in his symptoms and quality of life
- The importance of asking questions before making major medical decisions
- What patients should understand about informed consent
- Why some therapies remain unfamiliar or underused
- Jack’s belief that circulation can be supported and trained
- How he turned his experience into a patient-advocacy mission
- What he hopes other people facing serious diagnoses take away from his story
- EECP Locator — Search for EECP treatment providers and learn more about the therapy.
- Why Your Heart Is Not a Pump — Ben Greenfield Life — A conversation exploring alternative perspectives on the heart, circulation, and cardiovascular function.
This episode shares one person’s experience and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice or recommend that anyone delay, decline, or discontinue cardiac care. Treatment decisions, including decisions involving surgery or EECP, should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals who understand your individual medical history and circumstances.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a possible heart attack or another medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.
Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me.
It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer.
For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.
Listen On
Proudly Supported by
