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Watchman Device Implantation

Watchman Device Implantation services offered in Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Plant City and Riverview, FL

Atrial fibrillation makes you 3-5 times more likely to have a stroke when a blood clot escapes your heart and reaches your brain. The cardiology team at Florida Heart, Vein and Vascular Institute eliminates that risk with a Watchman™ device implantation. The Watchman stays in place permanently, where it prevents strokes by ensuring clots don’t form. Call the office in Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Plant City, Wesley Chapel or Riverview, Florida, or book online today to learn if you’re a good candidate for the Watchman.

Watchman Device Implantation Q&A

When would I need Watchman device implantation?

The Watchman is used in patients with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. Atrial fibrillation is a heart arrhythmia often caused by damage in the heart’s electrical system. As a result, the heart’s upper chambers beat chaotically and rapidly, hindering blood flow through your heart. Sluggish circulation leads to blood pooling in your heart, thickening of the blood, and blood clots. A dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation occurs when a clot leaves your heart, reaches your brain, and causes a stroke. After you have a Watchman implanted, the device stops clots from leaving your heart.

How does Watchman device implantation prevent strokes?

Blood pooling occurs, and clots form in an area called the left atrial appendage, a small pouch-like space in the heart’s upper left chamber. The Watchman is designed to fit inside the pouch and remain permanently implanted. As heart tissue grows over the implanted device, the appendage is completely closed, preventing future clots and strokes.

What should I expect during Watchman device implantation?

Your Florida Heart, Vein and Vascular Institute provider performs the minimally invasive procedure by making a small cut in your upper leg and inserting a long, slim tube (catheter) into the blood vessel. They guide the catheter through the vessels to your heart. After reaching the left atrial appendage, they release the Watchman from the catheter, carefully implanting it into the pouch. For the last step, they remove the catheter, and your procedure is finished.

What is recovery like after Watchman implantation?

Most people stay in the hospital overnight so they can be monitored as they recover from the procedure. You’ll follow a medication regimen, but after stopping your post-procedure meds, you may be able to stop taking blood thinners. You may have follow-up appointments at 45 days and six months after the implant. The heart tissue grows over the implant during this time, so your follow-up visits allow your provider to monitor your progress and adjust your medications if needed. A year after your procedure, they may perform a transesophageal echocardiogram (ultrasound performed from a small device guided into your esophagus) to check the device and be sure the appendage has been sealed. You’ll receive a Watchman implant card that you should always carry with you. In a medical emergency, it alerts doctors that you have an implanted device. Call the nearest Florida Heart, Vein and Vascular Institute office or book an appointment online today to learn more about Watchman device implantation.

Comprehensive Heart and Vascular Services

We offer comprehensive diagnostic and preventive heart and vein care, ensuring every patient receives accurate evaluation and effective treatment.

Interventional Cardiology

We specialize in minimally invasive procedures that open blocked arteries and restore proper blood flow, improving heart function and patient outcomes.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Our experts diagnose and treat narrowed or blocked vessels outside the heart, enhancing circulation and reducing pain in the legs and extremities.

Coronary Artery Disease

We provide advanced care to manage plaque buildup in coronary arteries, improving oxygen flow to the heart and preventing serious cardiac events.

Valvular Heart Disease

Our specialists assess and treat valve disorders to restore normal heart rhythm and ensure efficient blood flow throughout the cardiovascular system.

Hypertension

We offer personalized management for high blood pressure through medication, diet, and lifestyle adjustments to protect your heart and arteries.

Congestive Heart Failure

Comprehensive treatment plans help strengthen heart function, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life for patients with heart failure.

High Cholesterol

We focus on preventing heart disease through cholesterol management programs that combine medication, nutrition counseling, and lifestyle coaching.

Heart Palpitations

Our team evaluates irregular or rapid heartbeats with advanced diagnostic tools to identify causes and develop effective treatment strategies.

Arrhythmias

We diagnose and manage heart rhythm abnormalities using state-of-the-art monitoring and therapies that help maintain a steady, healthy heartbeat.

Atrial Fibrillation

We offer cutting-edge care for atrial fibrillation, using medication and minimally invasive procedures to restore normal rhythm and prevent stroke.

Syncope

Our specialists investigate fainting episodes to determine underlying cardiovascular causes and provide treatment to prevent future occurrences.

Echocardiogram

This non-invasive ultrasound test gives detailed images of your heart’s structure and function, helping us assess heart health and detect conditions early.

Cardiac Nuclear Stress Test

We use advanced imaging to evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle, identifying areas of reduced circulation or damage with high precision.

Venous Disorders and Management

We diagnose and treat varicose veins, deep vein issues, and other venous conditions to restore comfort, improve circulation, and prevent complications.

Holter Monitor

A portable Holter device records your heart’s activity over 24–48 hours, allowing accurate detection of rhythm irregularities in real-life settings.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

TAVR offers a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery, replacing damaged valves to improve blood flow and overall heart performance.

MitraClip Procedure

We perform MitraClip therapy to treat mitral valve regurgitation, improving heart efficiency and reducing symptoms without the need for surgery.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Interventions

Our specialists use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to dissolve clots, relieve pain, and prevent long-term vein damage from DVT.

Pulmonary Embolism Interventions

We offer rapid diagnosis and targeted treatments to remove or dissolve clots in the lungs, restoring breathing and reducing cardiovascular risk.

Watchman Device Implantation

This innovative procedure reduces stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients by closing the left atrial appendage and eliminating long-term anticoagulants.

Permanent Pacemaker Implantation

We implant pacemakers to regulate slow or irregular heartbeats, restoring proper rhythm and improving daily function and energy levels.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)

Our ICD implantation helps prevent sudden cardiac arrest by detecting dangerous rhythms and automatically delivering corrective electrical pulses.

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure

We close the small opening between heart chambers using a catheter-based device, reducing the risk of stroke and improving overall circulation.

Atrial Septal Defect Closure

This minimally invasive procedure repairs holes in the heart wall, restoring normal blood flow and preventing complications like stroke or heart failure.