Atrial fibrillation (AFib) causes your heart to beat irregularly, which affects its ability to pump blood normally. When the heart doesn’t pump as it should, blood can collect and form clots, possibly causing a stroke. People with AFib are at an increased risk for stroke than someone with a regular heartbeat.

What is Watchman?

Texas Health offers the Watchman device, which reduces stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. It works differently than blood thinners like warfarin. Watchman is a permanent implant that closes off a part of the heart where blood clots commonly form.
The Watchman implant is about the size of a quarter, and it doesn’t require open-heart surgery.

Are you a candidate for Watchman?

You may be a candidate for Watchman if you:

• Have atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem
• Are taking or it has been recommended that you take a blood thinner for your AFib
• Take warfarin but need an alternative to long-term blood thinners because:
• You have a history of serious bleeding while taking blood thinners
• You have a lifestyle, occupation, or condition that puts you at risk for serious bleeding
• You’re taking warfarin and having trouble with your treatment plan, and a different type of blood thinner isn’t an option for you

For more information about Watchman or to find out if you’re a candidate, call the Texas Health location of your choice that offers Watchman.