Device and method for treating disorders of the cardiovascular system or heart

A method for treating a subject comprising:

• sensing an initial respiration parameter during intrinsic breathing of a subject via at least one electrode positioned internally within the patient;
• synchronizing an electrical stimulation protocol with the sensed respiration parameter via a processor in communication with the at least one electrode;
• and,
• increasing functional residual lung capacity of the subject by applying the electrical stimulation protocol which comprises a burst or series of pulses to tissue associated with a phrenic nerve or diaphragm tissue to contract a diaphragm at a beginning or during an onset of each intrinsic breathing cycle and sustaining the electrical stimulation protocol such that an intrathoracic pressure is stabilized by increasing a resting lung volume.