You ready for some sincerely super cool innovation that can change the life of just about anyone who is at risk of cardiovascular problems due to AFib? Wait, let's roll back a bit first. Are you one of the people who sit there night after night hearing about AFIB and wonder "Ok, AFib..I am gathering it's something I'd rather not have but what is it?" That's kinda what the thought is around here, then after you hear the buzzwords and then comes the list of possible side effects of the medication which could be anything from hair loss, to teeth falling out and aliens coming to take you away, the word AFib gets buried in the back of your mind again with the thought of "Man, I hope that never happens to me."
From Heart.org - "Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. At least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib. You might feel a flutter or quiver in your chest when your heart beats. Your heart might beat faster than usual, pound, or race. The feeling often lasts for a few minutes." Now that we know what it is, and of course we know of the medications for it thanks to TV how about if we get to the really good stuff and put an end to it minus the side effects with a procedure being done at Mercy Health that is minimally invasive, the kind of stuff that was only dreamt about at one point in medical history and the kind of procedures that make Dr. Noah Thormeier look like rock stars when it comes to saving peoples lives?
The WATCHMAN device is basically a tiny plug that is inserted into the left atrial appendage of the heart and it keeps the blood cells from swirling there and causing a clot that can lead to a stroke. The WATCHMAN permanently closes things off and prevents any clots from escaping, it's about the size of a quarter and it's made from very light commonly used medical implant materials.
You might think "WOW! That's awesome! How do I get to Grand Rapids or Detroit for that?" You don't. You talk to Dr. Thormeier right here at Mercy Health in Muskegon and he'll take it from there. The good Dr. ducked into a linen closet recently to talk with us about this modern marvel of medical innovation, take a listen.
Right here in Muskegon! BOOM! Pretty amazing stuff and the enthusiasm that Dr. Thormeier brings to his gifted hands is second to none. This is a well studied and thoroughly tested one time procedure that will keep you in the hospital for observation for one night, blood thinners for 45 days and tissue grows over the device. DONE! To learn more and see if WATCHMAN is right for you, well, you know how we like to wrap things up around here. Click on that link below to visit Mercy Health online.
