Poor blood supply to the heart
When the heart muscle receives too little blood.
Reduced blood flow to the heart and EECP in brief.
EECP Cardio Pulse can improve blood flow to the heart muscle in a natural way. Especially when the blood supply is restricted by narrowed vessels.
How you may notice reduced blood flow to the heart.
- Pressure in the chest during exertion
- Breathlessness that does not match the level of exertion
- Rapid exhaustion even though you are otherwise fit
- Symptoms in cold weather, under stress or after meals
- The exercise ECG shows reduced blood flow
- The symptoms ease at rest
What happens when blood flow to the heart is reduced.
When the blood supply to the heart muscle is poor, too little oxygen-rich blood reaches it. This is often noticeable during exertion, as chest pressure, breathlessness or rapid exhaustion. The cause is usually narrowed or calcified coronary arteries that slow the flow of blood.
Where EECP starts with reduced blood flow.
It starts with diagnosis: exercise test, echocardiogram and, where needed, imaging of the coronary arteries. Treatment builds on that, with medication and, where needed, treatment of a narrowing. Sometimes the supply to the heart muscle under exertion still falls short. Then EECP Cardio Pulse can be a complementary option. It brings more blood to the heart, precisely in its relaxation phase.
How EECP can support blood flow to the heart.
EECP Cardio Pulse uses your own heart rhythm. During the heart's relaxation phase, blood is pressed from the legs back towards the heart. This increases pressure and flow in the coronary arteries and the shear stress on the vessel walls.
Who EECP may be suitable for with reduced blood flow.
Proven reduced blood flow
An exercise test or imaging shows that the heart muscle receives too little blood under exertion.
Symptoms despite treatment
Medication is in place, a procedure has been done or is not planned, and exercise capacity remains limited.
Small vessels as the cause
The large vessels are clear or have been treated, yet the supply to the muscle remains tight.
What speaks for EECP in reduced blood flow.
Aim: better blood flow to the heart muscle
Aim: make more use of fine collateral vessels
Gentle treatment lying down
Lasting effect of EECP therapy for reduced blood flow.
More inflow during the session is only the beginning. What matters is what remains after the course: a vascular network that regulates blood flow better again. This adaptation continues to sustain the supply to the heart muscle even when no more sessions take place.
What EECP does not do for reduced blood flow.
EECP Cardio Pulse does not open a narrowing and does not replace diagnosis. A new or changing reduction in blood flow belongs first in diagnostics. Once the cause is known and treatment is in place, EECP can complement it. The aim is a better supply to the heart muscle.
Using everything, leaving nothing out.
Our philosophy: use every option in cardiology – including the body's own natural powers. EECP Cardio Pulse sets targeted flow stimuli and supports the vascular system's capacity to adapt. Entirely without a procedure, complementing conventional cardiology. As much as necessary, as gentle as possible.
Your path with EECP Cardio Pulse.
- 01
Cardio Check-Up
cardiac diagnostics.
- 02
First session
One hour lying down.
- 03
Series
35 sessions, one hour each.
- 04
Final check-up
The check-up.
View related research
In the blinded, sham-controlled MUST-EECP trial of 139 patients with documented coronary artery disease, EECP extended the time to exercise-induced ischaemia, and more treated patients had fewer angina episodes than in the control group. Exercise duration alone did not differ.
Arora RR, Chou TM, Jain D, et al. The Multicenter Study of Enhanced External Counterpulsation (MUST-EECP). J Am Coll Cardiol. 1999;33(7):1833–1840. PMID 10362181
Questions about EECP for reduced blood flow to the heart.
How does more blood reach the heart without anything being dilated?
During the heart's relaxation phase (diastole), the cuffs press blood from the legs back towards the heart. This increases pressure and flow in the coronary arteries. It is precisely in this phase that the heart muscle itself is supplied with blood. Over the course of treatment, the vessel lining (endothelium) responds better to this flow again.
Does EECP replace a catheter?
Whether a catheter is needed is decided by the findings, not by the method. EECP Cardio Pulse is a separate, gentle treatment and can be used as a complement, even when a catheter is not planned.
Is blood flow examined beforehand?
Before the course of treatment comes the Cardio Check-Up with a cardiac diagnostics of the heart. Please bring any existing findings such as an exercise ECG, cardiac CT or catheter report. They show us where blood flow becomes tight. They are also the reference point for monitoring progress.
Can the improvement be measured?
In studies, the exercise test is used for this: how long does it take until the ECG shows reduced blood flow? In everyday life the measure is simpler: walks, stairs and shopping that can be managed again without a break.
Is EECP also an option if the reduced blood flow causes no symptoms?
Silent reduced blood flow is first clarified by our heart specialists. EECP Cardio Pulse has been studied mainly for symptoms under exertion. Whether it makes sense in your situation, we discuss based on the findings.
General information, not a promise of cure. Whether EECP is suitable for you is something we clarify after a cardiac examination.
Just give us a call.
We answer your questions and arrange an appointment together.
Private service under the GOÄ fee schedule: about 100 euros per session.