Talking to Your Cardiologist
You likely have more than one doctor that you trust with your health: a primary care physician for your general health needs and a cardiologist for your heart.
If you have atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem and you’re looking for an alternative to blood thinners, then it’s important to talk to your cardiologist about your options. Your cardiologist has the special knowledge needed to help you decide if the WATCHMAN Implant is right for you. If you don’t have a cardiologist, your primary care physician can refer you to one.
Tell your cardiologist about any falls or accidents, unusual bruising, or symptoms of bleeding that you’ve had while on blood thinners. And be sure to ask your cardiologist about the risks and benefits associated with the WATCHMAN Implant.
Answer a few short questions to see if you may be a candidate and get a customized guide to help you start a conversation with your doctor.
Determining Your Cost and Coverage
The WATCHMAN Implant is covered for eligible Medicare patients who meet certain national coverage criteria. It’s also covered by an increasing number of commercial insurers. Your cardiologist’s office may be able to help you find out what your coverage is.
There’s no need to settle for the ongoing costs of blood thinners to protect yourself from stroke—the WATCHMAN Implant is a one-time procedure that pays for itself after two years. The WATCHMAN Implant is different from blood thinners not only in how it works, but in how much it costs. While blood thinners must be taken every day for life and represents an ongoing cost, The WATCHMAN Implant is a one-time procedure and one-time cost. This means you can save money over time.
Finding a WATCHMAN Medical Center
More than 650 of the nation’s top medical centers perform the WATCHMAN Implant. If you and your cardiologist decide that the WATCHMAN Implant is right for you, you may be referred to one of these centers. At the medical center you and your cardiologist select, a team of trained specialists will place the WATCHMAN Implant in your heart. You may have follow-up appointments after your procedure to have an imaging test to check on the implant and make sure your left atrial appendage (LAA) is sealed.
The WATCHMAN Implant is for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners. This website is intended to provide patients and caregivers with some information about the WATCHMAN Implant. It may help prepare you for talking to your doctor about your options for reducing stroke risk.
Important Safety Information
The WATCHMAN FLX and WATCHMAN FLX Pro Devices are permanent implants designed to close the left atrial appendage in the heart in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke.
With all medical procedures there are risks associated with the implant procedure and the use of the device. The risks include but are not limited to accidental heart puncture, air embolism, allergic reaction, anemia, anesthesia risks, arrhythmias, AV (Arteriovenous) fistula, bleeding or throat pain from the TEE (Trans Esophageal Echo) probe, blood clot or air bubbles in the lungs or other organs, bruising at the catheter insertion site, clot formation on the device, cranial bleed, excessive bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, groin puncture bleed, hypotension, infection/pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary vein obstruction, renal failure, stroke, thrombosis and transient ischemic attack. In rare cases death can occur.
Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of the device.