Post-Covid Syndrome Treatment with EECP
Fatigue, shortness of breath and brain fog lasting months after Covid can make daily life difficult. Treatment today is symptom-directed support. EECP is being studied in these patients; the first results are promising, but they rely on studies without a control group.
- Non-Surgical
- 35 Sessions
- Painless
Briefly
Helps ease and recover from problems such as ongoing fatigue, shortness of breath and weakness after Covid.
Long Covid treatment is symptom-directed support; EECP does not replace this plan.
In a retrospective study of 231 patients, fatigue, shortness of breath and walking distance improved.
The studies had no control group. The evidence is limited, and sham-controlled studies are needed.
What Happens in the Body in Post-Covid Syndrome?
Long Covid is a condition that lasts at least three months after infection and affects daily life. The most common complaints are extreme fatigue, worsening with exertion, brain fog and shortness of breath. There is no single test that makes the diagnosis.
Shortness of breath
Many patients notice that they run out of breath when climbing stairs or talking. For this reason, the lungs and heart are evaluated together.
Chest pain
Chest pain and palpitations are among the common complaints. Researchers think that a problem in the heart's small vessels may play a role in some patients.
Brain fog
Distractibility, forgetfulness and slowed thinking can occur. This is commonly called brain fog and can make working life difficult.
Hover over or tap the cards: the related area is highlighted in the image.
Fatigue
Extreme fatigue and low energy are the most common complaints. According to experts, too much exertion can worsen these symptoms; this is called post-exertional worsening.
Inner vessel lining
Researchers think that impaired function of the inner vessel lining may play a role in long Covid symptoms.
Pulse and dizziness
Pulse speeding up and dizziness can occur on standing. Experts handle this under the heading of autonomic nervous system disorder.
After Covid: Before and With EECP
The comparison below simply shows the support targeted with EECP. The effect varies from person to person; your progress is monitored with scales.
The burden of long Covid
- Extreme fatigue and worsening with exertion
- Shortness of breath and chest pain
- Brain fog and difficulty at work
Passive circulation support
- Applied lying down, without exertion
- Stimulation of the inner vessel lining by flow is targeted
- Regular follow-up with fatigue and breathing scales
This is a schematic illustration. EECP is not a proven treatment for long Covid.
How Is EECP Applied?
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.
Blood flow increases
With cuff pressure, blood is pushed toward the heart and flow in the vessels speeds up. The patient expends no effort during this time.
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.
Symptoms are monitored
Fatigue, shortness of breath and walking distance are measured before and after the course. The results are reviewed with you.
What Has Been Reported in Studies?
The response varies from person to person. The following are the gains that are targeted and have been reported in studies.
Fatigue
In the 231-patient study, the fatigue score decreased significantly after EECP.
Shortness of breath
The proportion of people with moderate-to-severe shortness of breath fell from 84.9 percent to 35.9 percent.
Walking distance
The six-minute walking distance increased by an average of about 46 meters.
Brain fog
In an 80-patient study, the test scores of those with cognitive impairment improved after EECP.
Return to work
Of 23 patients unable to work because of their symptoms, 18 reported returning to work after EECP.
Safety
EECP was applied safely over a total of 7,296 hours of treatment.
Who Is It Suitable For, and Who Is It Not?
First, the diagnosis of long Covid and other possible causes of the symptoms are investigated; a heart and lung assessment is done. The decision on EECP is made individually by our cardiologist.
✓May be suitable for
- Patients who have had fatigue and shortness of breath for at least three months after Covid
- Long Covid patients with chest pain who have had a heart assessment
- Patients who struggle to exercise because exertion worsens their symptoms
- Patients struggling at work because of brain fog who are suitable from a cardiovascular standpoint
✕Not suitable for
- Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary clot newly developed after Covid
- 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 patients who experience post-exertional worsening, rest time after the session is planned together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Covid Syndrome and EECP
Does EECP treat long Covid?
There is no proven treatment for long Covid. In a study of 231 patients, symptoms improved after EECP; however, because there was no control group, it is not known how much of this improvement was due to EECP.
I cannot exercise; is EECP suitable?
EECP is applied lying down and without exertion. Experts stress that excessive exertion can worsen symptoms. For this reason, rest after the session and the level of daily activity are planned together.
Does it affect brain fog?
In an 80-patient study, the test scores of those with cognitive impairment at baseline improved. This study also had no control group; we interpret the results with caution.
How long after Covid can it be started?
For a long Covid diagnosis, symptoms must last at least three months. The patients in the study had had Covid an average of nine months earlier. Timing is determined together according to your general condition.
Will I keep taking my medications?
Yes. You need to continue your medications as your cardiologist recommends. The decision to change medication is made only by your doctor.
How many sessions are needed?
The standard course is 35 sessions: 5 days a week, 60 minutes per session. In the study, patients received an average of 32 sessions. You return to daily life right after the session.
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Contact us for a free preliminary assessment
If your complaints after Covid continue, contact us. Our cardiologist will assess your heart and vessels and tell you clearly whether EECP is suitable for you. Bringing your previous tests and reports makes the assessment easier.
- Non-Surgical
- Painless
- Physician-Supervised
- Nicosia and Morphou