Weak heart
Out of breath on every stair?
When the heart loses pumping strength.
Heart failure and EECP in brief.
When the heart's pumping power declines, even small things take a lot of strength. With stable heart failure, EECP Cardio Pulse can relieve the heart from the outside and gradually rebuild exercise capacity, together with your existing treatment.
How you may notice heart failure.
- Shortness of breath when climbing stairs or walking briskly
- Rapid exhaustion on everyday errands
- Heavy legs, swollen ankles in the evening
- You need more breaks than before
- At night you sleep better with your upper body raised
- Ultrasound shows reduced pumping function
What happens in the body with heart failure.
In heart failure, the heart muscle can no longer supply the body with enough oxygen-rich blood. Those affected often notice it as rapid exhaustion, heavy legs or shortness of breath, even on short walks or climbing stairs. In selected, stable forms, EECP Cardio Pulse can be used alongside treatment.
How EECP can complement the treatment of heart failure.
Treatment of heart failure has made great progress. It can remain the foundation. Even so, many people get out of breath quickly on exertion. Exercise would be important but is hardly possible. Here EECP Cardio Pulse can be a complementary option: the heart is relieved while you lie down.
What EECP can do for heart failure.
EECP Cardio Pulse works like passive relief training for the heart. During the relaxation phase, the cuffs on the legs guide blood back to the heart and improve blood flow in the coronary arteries. Just before the heartbeat they release, and resistance in the circulation drops. The heart needs less force to eject the blood. The goal is more walking distance and less breathlessness on exertion.
When EECP is an option for heart failure.
Stable heart failure
Medication is adjusted, weight and fluid balance are stable, and exercise capacity should improve.
Mild to moderate limitation
You become short of breath during everyday activities, but are free of symptoms at rest. The study data are available for this group.
When training is difficult
Exercise would be important, but is barely possible. EECP Cardio Pulse trains vessels and circulation passively.
What speaks for EECP in heart failure.
Can be used in selected, stable forms
Aim: longer walking distance, less shortness of breath on exertion
Together with your existing treatment
Lasting effect of EECP therapy for heart failure.
You feel the relief in every session, but the real gain comes afterwards: over the course the vessels can become more elastic and stay that way, even without further treatment. In a randomised study over three years the effect lasted, most clearly with two courses per year.
What EECP does not do for heart failure.
With acutely decompensated heart failure, EECP Cardio Pulse is not suitable. That applies with fluid retention and breathlessness at rest. Then treatment of the heart failure takes priority. Later, EECP can become an option again. With stable heart failure, too, your existing treatment can remain the foundation. EECP can be added, with the aim of improving exercise capacity and quality of life.
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
The randomised PEECH trial of 187 patients with mild to moderate heart failure showed, after six months, more frequently a longer exercise duration (35 versus 25 percent), a lower breathlessness rating (NYHA class) and more quality of life. Peak oxygen uptake did not change.
Feldman AM, Silver MA, Francis GS, et al. Enhanced external counterpulsation improves exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure (PEECH). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48(6):1198–1205. PMID 16979005
Questions about EECP for heart failure.
Is EECP possible with heart failure?
For stable heart failure with mild to moderate limitation, EECP has been examined in studies and has been approved for this in the USA since 2002. The prerequisite is that medication and fluid balance are under control. We check this in the initial consultation using your findings and the heart ultrasound.
Does the pressure from the legs strain the heart?
The pressure acts during the heart's relaxation phase (diastole) and is released just before the heartbeat. At that moment, the resistance against which the heart has to pump decreases. The heart is thus relieved, not put under additional strain. A heart ultrasound and ECG beforehand make sure that this is the case for you.
Can I continue taking my heart medication?
EECP Cardio Pulse can be combined with your existing heart treatment. What you take stays as we discuss together. We discuss any changes with you.
What about fluid retention in the legs?
Mild swelling of the ankles is common in heart failure. It does not rule out EECP Cardio Pulse. Pronounced fluid retention or weight gain within a few days, on the other hand, indicate that the heart is not stable at the moment. In that case, the medication is adjusted first. Please discuss such changes with us before the next session.
Is EECP possible with a pacemaker or defibrillator?
A pacemaker or defibrillator is usually not an obstacle. EECP Cardio Pulse is controlled via the ECG, so in the initial consultation we look at how your device works and whether the heart rhythm is regular enough.
How often can the course of treatment be repeated?
In a randomised study over three years, the benefit was most pronounced with two courses of treatment per year. Whether and when a repeat makes sense for you depends on your progress and is discussed anew after each course of treatment.
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.