flyer or brochure about Watchman procedure

WATCHMAN™ Procedure A Safer Alternative to Blood Thinners for AFib Patients

A healthy rhythm means a healthier life. Ask your doctor if WATCHMAN™ is right for you.

WHAT IS IT? The WATCHMAN™ device is a small implant that helps reduce the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem. It closes off a small pouch in the heart (left atrial appendage) where harmful blood clots often form.

HOW IT WORKS Doctors insert the device through a vein in your leg and guide it to your heart. Once in place, WATCHMAN™ seals the left atrial appendage. Over time, heart tissue grows over the device, providing permanent protection. The procedure takes about 1 hour, and most people go home the next day.

WHY DO DOCTORS RECOMMEND WATCHMAN™? ✔ Reduces stroke risk from AFib ✔ An alternative to lifelong blood thinners ✔ Minimally invasive, non-surgical ✔ May improve quality of life and safety

AFTER THE PROCEDURE • You may feel mild soreness or fatigue for a few days • Avoid heavy activity for about a week • Attend follow-up visits to check your heart and device placement • Most patients stop blood thinners after about 45 days (with doctor approval)

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR • Am I a good candidate for WATCHMAN™? • What are the risks and benefits? • How soon can I stop blood thinners? • How will this impact my lifestyle?

WATCHMAN™ Procedure A Safer Alternative to Blood Thinners for AFib Patients

A healthy rhythm means a healthier life. Ask your doctor if WATCHMAN™ is right for you.

Trusted Resources ■ www.heart.org (American Heart Association) ■ www.watchman.com (Boston Scientific) ■ www.cdc.gov/heartdisease

MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER

After the Procedure

Questions to ask your doctor:

A healthy rhythm means a healthier life. Know your options today.

Trusted Resources: www.heart.org (American Heart Association) www.cdc.gov/heartdisease www.mayoclinic.org

Benefits of Cardiac Ablation:

What to expect after ablation?

Mild soreness or fatigue for a few days Avoid heavy activity for about one week Attend follow-up visits to check your heart rhythm

Am I a good candidate for ablation? Are there alternatives? What are the risks and success rates? How soon will I feel better?

✔ May stop or reduce irregular heartbeats ✔ Improves quality of life ✔ Reduces or eliminates the need for long- term medications

TROUBLE WITH YOUR HEART RHYTHM? LEARN

ABOUT CARDIAC ABLATION

How does the procedure work?

Ablation is used when you have:

Ablation can help you feel better, have more energy, and reduce your need for medicine.

WHAT IS IT?

HOW IT WORKS

WHY DO DOCTORS RECOMMEND

ABLATION?

Doctors insert thin tubes (catheters) through your vein and guide them to the heart.

What is Cardiac Ablation? Cardiac ablation is a medical procedure used to treat irregular heartbeats (called arrhythmias). It works by blocking small areas of the heart that send the wrong electrical signals. It is safe, minimally invasive, and done in a hospital by specialists.

They map the heart’s electrical signals to find the problem area.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib)

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Other arrhythmias that don’t improve with medication or

cause side effects

Then they use heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryoablation) to stop the faulty signals. It takes 2 to 4 hours, and most people go home the same day or the next.