How EECP works.

Enhanced external counterpulsation.
The pressure comes from outside, in counter-rhythm to the heartbeat.

• What is EECP therapy?

  A gentle, non-invasive treatment from the outside, in which cuffs on the legs work in time with the heartbeat and so support the blood supply to heart, brain and tissue. EECP stands for Enhanced External Counterpulsation.

• Does the treatment hurt?

  The treatment feels like a firm, rhythmic massage. You lie comfortably, read, listen to music or relax. After the one-hour session you go straight back to your day.

• Do I have to choose between EECP and my current treatment?

  Both can be combined. EECP Cardio Pulse can stand on its own or complement your existing treatment. What stays and what is added, we discuss with you. More under Your heart concept.

• How many sessions do I need?

  A course usually comprises around 35 sessions of about one hour each over several weeks, typically on several days per week. We agree the exact schedule with you individually.

• Is EECP safe? Are there side effects?

  EECP works from outside the body and is considered well tolerated. Occasionally, mild skin redness or muscle discomfort in the legs can occur, usually temporary. Before you start, we check in the Cardio Check-Up whether the method is suitable for you.

• When are the first effects noticeable?

  The effect builds up over the course. Noticeable changes usually appear only towards the end of the 35 sessions or in the weeks that follow. The timing varies from person to person.

• What does EECP cost? Does insurance pay?

  Around 100 euros per session, under GOÄ. Beforehand, the Cardio Check-Up confirms whether EECP is suitable for you, and we then recommend how many sessions make sense.

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• I have statutory health insurance. Will it cover the costs?

  Unfortunately only in the rarest cases, and we regret that very much. EECP is not yet a standard benefit of the statutory health insurers. As even the most detailed expert reports are usually rejected outright, we unfortunately no longer prepare them. For statutorily insured patients we offer EECP as a self-pay service under the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ), transparent and without detours.

• I have private health insurance. Will it cover the costs?

  Yes, depending on the tariff there is a good chance, for the Cardio Check-Up and the therapy. Best give your private health insurer a quick call and ask about reimbursement of EECP under GOÄ. Beihilfe likewise depending on the tariff.

• Who is EECP suitable for?

  For people with persistent symptoms, unclear findings or the wish to actively protect their heart health in the long term. Whether EECP makes sense in your situation is something we decide together in the initial consultation.

• When is EECP not suitable?

  EECP increases the return of blood to the heart and the pressure in the aorta. With some pre-existing conditions this would be a strain, so we advise against it: severe leakage of the aortic valve, an aneurysm of the aorta, markedly raised lung pressure, a recent thrombosis or vein inflammation, a pronounced bleeding tendency, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe heart rhythm disorders, acutely decompensated heart failure, and pregnancy. Whether EECP Cardio Pulse is an option for you is something we clarify calmly in the Cardio Check-Up on the basis of your findings.

  Unsure? Ask us → When we advise against it →

• Why is there a preliminary examination?

  Because EECP increases the return of blood to the heart and the pressure in the aorta. Before we start, we need to know that heart and vessels tolerate this well. That is why cardiac ultrasound and ECG are part of the Cardio Check-Up: They show how the heart pumps, how the valves work and what the heart rhythm is. Blood pressure, previous findings and your medication are added. Only when all of this fits do we plan the series.

• What can EECP not do?

  EECP does not replace a procedure that is medically necessary, and it does not remove deposits in the vessels. The effect builds up over the series, varies from person to person, and there is no guarantee. That is why your existing treatment remains the foundation, and EECP is added to it.