Preventing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and Vascular Health
Cardiovascular risk factors are closely linked to memory problems and dementia. Most of these factors can be changed. EECP is a method that supports vessel health; that it prevents these diseases has not been shown.
- Non-Surgical
- 35 Sessions
- Painless
Briefly
Reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease related to blocked brain vessels in the future in healthy people.
The seven measures of brain health: not smoking, regular movement, healthy eating, normal weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
EECP can improve the function of the inner vessel lining; this has been shown in a meta-analysis of controlled studies.
We have not read a study showing that EECP reduces the risk of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's in healthy people.
How Does Vessel Health Affect the Brain?
The brain needs a constant and steady blood flow. Blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol can wear down the brain vessels over the years. The American Heart Association emphasizes that cardiovascular risks are closely linked to cognitive decline and dementia.
Memory and thinking
Memory, attention and decision-making depend on different areas of the brain working together. Keeping these areas healthy depends on steady and sufficient blood flow.
Small vessels
The small vessels that nourish the deep regions of the brain are easily affected by blood pressure. Damage can progress for years without symptoms.
Neck vessels
Plaque can build up in the carotid arteries that carry blood to the brain. These vessels can be examined easily and painlessly with ultrasound.
Hover over or tap the cards: the related area is highlighted in the image.
Blood pressure
One of the ideal brain health measures is a blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg without medication. High blood pressure is one of the main factors that wear down the brain vessels.
Sugar and cholesterol
The ideal measures include a fasting blood sugar below 100 mg/dL and total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL.
Movement
Regular physical activity is one of the seven measures of brain health. Inactivity is regarded as a risk factor for both the heart and the brain.
Brain Vessels: Before and With EECP
The comparison below simply shows the vessel support targeted with EECP. This support does not replace the treatment of risk factors; your medications and lifestyle recommendations continue unchanged.
Vessels at risk
- High blood pressure, sugar or cholesterol
- The function of the inner vessel lining has weakened
- Sedentary life
Supported vessel function
- Flow stimulating the inner vessel lining
- Regular follow-up of risk measures at every session
- Lifestyle and medication recommendations continue unchanged
This is a schematic illustration. It has not been proven that EECP prevents Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
How Does EECP Support the Vessels?
During treatment you lie down and rest. The device monitors your heart rhythm with an ECG and controls the cuffs accordingly.
Cuffs inflate
While the heart relaxes, the cuffs on the calves, thighs and buttocks inflate in sequence: first the calves, then the thighs and buttocks.
Flow in the vessels increases
Cuff pressure speeds up flow in the vessels. The increased flow stimulates the inner vessel lining.
The heart's workload decreases
The pressure is released just before the heart contracts, so the heart pumps more easily. This cycle repeats with every heartbeat.
Risk measures are monitored
Your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol values are followed throughout the course. If needed, you are referred to neurology.
What Is Known About Brain Health?
The response varies from person to person. The following are the gains that are targeted and have been reported in studies.
Seven measures
According to the American Heart Association, ideal brain health is based on four behaviors and three health values.
Blood pressure
A blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg without medication is one of the ideal brain health measures.
Inner vessel lining
In a meta-analysis of 19 controlled studies, the vessel dilation response improved after EECP.
Non-surgical and painless
It is applied from the outside with cuffs; you lie down and rest throughout the session.
Medical supervision
Throughout the course, blood pressure and pulse are measured at every session.
Immediate return to daily life
You can return to your daily tasks right after the session.
Who Is It Suitable For, and Who Is It Not?
First, your cardiovascular risk measures are assessed. Any family history of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's is also discussed. The decision on EECP is made individually by our cardiologist after unsuitable conditions have been excluded.
✓May be suitable for
- Adults with several cardiovascular risk factors
- People with small vessel changes on brain MRI who do not yet have symptoms
- People whose blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol are under treatment and who want to support their vessel health
- People with a family history of dementia who want to monitor their cardiovascular risks closely
✕Not suitable for
- Aneurysm in a brain vessel
- Severe aortic valve insufficiency
- Aortic aneurysm
- Active deep vein thrombosis or vein inflammation
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- severe arrhythmia
- Marked bleeding tendency and pregnancy
How Does the Treatment Process Work?
Blood pressure and pulse are checked before every session. At the end of the course, the results are reviewed with our cardiologist. For prevention-related visits, your current test results are reviewed before treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Prevention
Does EECP prevent Alzheimer's or Parkinson's?
We have not read a study showing this. The path recommended today for prevention is control of cardiovascular risk factors and a healthy life.
Alzheimer's runs in my family; what should I do?
Family history cannot be changed; however, blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, weight, movement and smoking can. Following these measures regularly with your doctor is a good start. If you notice forgetfulness, do not delay seeing a neurologist.
Can a healthy person have EECP?
If there is no unsuitable condition, yes. However, in healthy volunteers, blood flow to the brain did not increase during EECP; expectations are discussed openly in the light of this information.
Which values should I monitor?
Ideal measures: blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg without medication, total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL and fasting blood sugar below 100 mg/dL. Not smoking, regular movement, healthy eating and normal weight are also among the measures.
How many sessions are needed?
The standard course is 35 sessions: 5 days a week, 60 minutes per session. You return to daily life right after the session. When the course ends, follow-up of your risk measures continues with your doctor.
How does this page differ from the treatment page?
This page covers prevention in people who do not yet have the disease. Studies in patients with a diagnosis and their results are covered separately on our Alzheimer's and Parkinson's treatment page.
You May Also Be Interested In
Contact us for a free preliminary assessment
Let's review your risk measures together to protect your brain health. Our cardiologist will evaluate your tests and discuss clearly the place of EECP for you. If it is not suitable, we will say so too.
- Non-Surgical
- Painless
- Physician-Supervised
- Nicosia and Morphou