I had a Watchman implant in 2019. It has worked great and I went off blood thinners 90 days after the implant. You have to meet a certain set of criteria in order to receive it but it definitely is well worth it.

I am on Eliquis, Ranexa, and Metoprolol. My EF was 60-65 (high normal) but as a result of Covid dropped to 30-35(heart failure). As a result of the meds it is back to 40 out of heart failure range. It is my hope at my next test in October my EF will come back even more. I had virtually non-existing symptoms of Covid. This was an after effect.

My 94 year old father has AFib and has a watchman..on meds...hospital decided he would be a good candidate...we are grateful.

I'll try to answer you as best as I can. The Watchman is a Titanium screen that is placed in a major artery I believe on the left side of your heart. The screen catches clots formed due to AFIB. It breaks the clots down and prevents them from going to your brain. It is as effective or moreso than blood thinners. Anybody out there that has different thoughts please advise.

I begged my doctor to switch me, mainly because I hate being on Eliquis (because of the cost) and the cheaper drugs made me bleed and bruise constantly. He said I was a good candidate. I've had several procedures for A Fib, which made me real glad I had the procedure. I had ablation also. I was steady for several months, but as luck would have it, my heart rate dropped to 50. Wearing a heart monitor now and only taking 25 mg. of Metoprolol. Good luck to you.