AFIB & STROKE RISK

By now, you’ve heard that having an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (or AFib) puts you at a nearly 5 times greater risk of a stroke than if you don’t have it. But just how does AFib increase your risk of stroke? And what could this mean for you? Click on the tabs below to find out.

HOW AFIB CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF STROKE
SIGNS OF STROKE
HOW A STROKE CAN AFFECT YOU

How does AFib increase your risk of stroke? It starts with the way your heart pumps your blood.

When your heart beats irregularly, it doesn’t pump blood as it should.
This can cause blood to pool in the upper chambers of your heart (called the atria).
This pooling can cause a blood clot to form in your heart.
A clot in your heart can break away and travel directly to your brain. There, it can block an artery and cause a stroke.

Click on the next tab to learn how to recognize the signs of a stroke. And find out what to do if you or your loved one has these signs.

NEXT: Signs of stroke

If you or your loved one has AFib, you’ll need to know the signs of stroke—and what to do if any of these signs occur:

Use this simple F.A.S.T. test to check for signs of stroke in your loved one:

FACE: Ask your loved one to smile. Does one side of his or her face droop?
ARMS: Ask your loved one to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH: Ask your loved one to repeat a simple phrase. Does his or her speech sound slurred or strange?
TIME: If you observe any of these signs, it's time to call 9–1–1.

Call 9–1–1 immediately if you or your loved one has any of these symptoms.

Click on the next tab to find out what you can do to help reduce your risk of a stroke caused by a clot that starts in the heart.

NEXT: What you can do

Remember, having AFib puts you at a nearly 5 times greater risk of stroke than if you don’t have it.

What you can do to help reduce your risk of stroke

But there’s good news too—the risk of strokes caused by AFib can be reduced, so work with your doctor on a plan to help reduce your risk. Taking medicine to help reduce the risk of stroke is a key part of treatment for many people with AFib.

If you have AFib not caused by a heart valve problem, finally, there is a choice. PRADAXA is the first approved alternative to warfarin (Coumadin^® or Jantoven^®) for reducing the risk of stroke due to AFib not caused by a heart valve problem in over 50 years.

Remember, working closely with your doctor is the best way to know what you need to do to reduce your risk of stroke. So ask your doctor about PRADAXA today.

TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR

Create a personalized doctor discussion guide. And help make sure you get the answers you need about AFib not caused by a heart valve problem, stroke, and treating with PRADAXA.

CREATE YOUR GUIDE

COMPARE TO WARFARIN FOR AFIB NOT CAUSED BY A HEART VALVE PROBLEM

In a clinical trial, PRADAXA 150 mg capsules reduced the risk of stroke 35% more than warfarin. Risk reduction was greatest when compared to patients on warfarin whose blood tests showed lower levels of control.

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS PRADAXA?

PRADAXA is a prescription blood-thinning medicine used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart does not beat the way it should. This can cause blood clots to form, increasing your risk of a stroke. PRADAXA lowers the chance of blood clots forming in your body.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT PRADAXA

PRADAXA can cause bleeding which can be serious and sometimes lead to death. Don’t take PRADAXA if you currently have abnormal bleeding or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.

Your risk of bleeding with PRADAXA may be higher if you:

• are 75 years old or older
• have kidney problems
• have stomach or intestine bleeding that is recent or keeps coming back or you have a stomach ulcer
• take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, like aspirin products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and blood thinners
• have kidney problems and take dronedarone (Multaq^®) or ketoconazole tablets (Nizoral^®)

Call your doctor or seek immediate medical care if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of bleeding:

• any unexpected, severe, or uncontrollable bleeding; or bleeding that lasts a long time
• unusual or unexpected bruising
• coughing up or vomiting blood; or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• pink or brown urine; red or black stools (looks like tar)
• unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain
• headaches and feeling dizzy or weak

It is important to tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take. Some of your other medicines may affect the way PRADAXA works.

Take PRADAXA exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t stop taking PRADAXA without talking to your doctor as your risk of stroke may increase.

Tell your doctor if you are planning to have any surgery, or medical or dental procedure, because you may have to stop taking PRADAXA for a short time.

PRADAXA can cause indigestion, stomach upset or burning, and stomach pain.

Click here for full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call
1-800-FDA-1088.

The health information contained in this Website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare professional. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare professional, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT PRADAXA

Click here to expand

PRADAXA can cause bleeding which can be serious and sometimes lead to death. Don’t take PRADAXA if you currently have abnormal bleeding or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.

Your risk of bleeding with PRADAXA may be higher if you:

• are 75 years old or older
• have kidney problems
• have stomach or intestine bleeding that is recent or keeps coming back or you have a stomach ulcer
• take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, like aspirin products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and blood thinners
• have kidney problems and take dronedarone (Multaq^®) or ketoconazole tablets (Nizoral^®)

Call your doctor or seek immediate medical care if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of bleeding:

• any unexpected, severe, or uncontrollable bleeding; or bleeding that lasts a long time
• unusual or unexpected bruising
• coughing up or vomiting blood; or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• pink or brown urine; red or black stools (looks like tar)
• unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain
• headaches and feeling dizzy or weak

It is important to tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take. Some of your other medicines may affect the way PRADAXA works.

Take PRADAXA exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t stop taking PRADAXA without talking to your doctor as your risk of stroke may increase.

Tell your doctor if you are planning to have any surgery, or medical or dental procedure, because you may have to stop taking PRADAXA for a short time.

PRADAXA can cause indigestion, stomach upset or burning, and stomach pain.

WHAT IS PRADAXA?

Click here for full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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PRADAXA^® (DABIGATRAN ETEXILATE MESYLATE) CAPSULES:
IMPORTANT STORAGE AND HANDLING INFORMATION

PRADAXA must be kept dry. To protect it from moisture, PRADAXA comes in either a bottle with a special cap that contains a drying agent or a blister pack with each capsule sealed separately.

When taking PRADAXA, please follow these instructions carefully:

Always store PRADAXA in its original container.
- Never put PRADAXA into any other container, such as a pill box or pill organizer.
- Store PRADAXA at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
If your PRADAXA came in a bottle:
- Be sure the closure tape, which indicates that the bottle has not been opened, is intact when you receive your prescription. Do not remove the closure tape until you are ready to open the bottle. Open your new bottle only after finishing your current bottle.
- Once the bottle is opened, you must use PRADAXA within 30 days.
  - As soon as you open the bottle, write the date on the label. PRADAXA will expire 30 days after the date you opened the bottle.
  - Do not alter the child-proof cap.
  - Safely throw away any unused PRADAXA after 30 days.
  - If your pharmacist or other healthcare provider gave you more than one bottle of PRADAXA, be sure to open only one bottle at a time.
- Each time you take PRADAXA:
  - Remove only one capsule from the opened bottle.
  - Immediately and tightly close the bottle.
If your PRADAXA came in a blister pack, remove only one capsule from the pack at a time.
Always read the Medication Guide included with each of your PRADAXA prescriptions. There may be information that is new or that has changed since your last prescription.
Remember to keep PRADAXA, and all medicines, out of the reach of children.

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Pradaxa^® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG and used under license.
Copyright© 2012 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 01/2012
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AFIB & STROKE RISK

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT PRADAXA

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT PRADAXA

FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS