Treatment with a Blood Thinner

About AFib & Risk of Stroke

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It occurs when one or both of the upper chambers of the heart – called the atria – don’t beat the way they should.

An irregular heartbeat can cause blood to pool in the left atrium, where a blood clot can form. If that clot breaks away, it can travel to the brain, where it can cause a type of stroke called an ischemic (is-KEE-mic) stroke.

Symptoms of AFib

There aren’t always symptoms with AFib, and you may be unaware of your condition until a doctor discovers it during a physical exam.

But when there are symptoms, they can include:

• palpitations
• weakness
• fatigue
• reduced ability to exercise
• lightheadedness
• dizziness
• confusion
• shortness of breath
• chest pain

The Signs of a Stroke

If you or your loved one has AFib, you’ll need to know the signs of stroke. By using the simple acronym F.A.S.T., you’ll be able to quickly recognize if your loved one may be suffering a stroke. That’s important because it could be a situation where seconds count.

Take a few minutes to commit this acronym to memory:

It’s important to work closely with your doctor to develop a treatment plan to help reduce your risk of stroke. Our Doctor Discussion Guide can help you ask the right questions to assist your doctor in deciding if PRADAXA is right for you.

Common Myths About AFib

Myth

Fact

Everyone who has AFib will have symptoms.

NOT TRUE. Some people with AFib will have no symptoms at all, and yet may still suffer a sudden stroke.

If you take medication for AFib
and no longer have symptoms,
you’re cured.

NOT TRUE. The fact is you may still have AFib whether or not you feel symptoms, and it is very often a lifelong condition.

Warfarin (also known as
Coumadin^® or Jantoven^®)
is the only medication approved
by the FDA to reduce risk
of stroke due to AFib.

NOT TRUE. PRADAXA was the first alternative to warfarin approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of stroke due to AFib not caused by a heart valve problem. See how the two compare.

Since FDA approval in October 2010; more than 17 million prescriptions have been filled in the U.S.

PRADAXA reduces the risk of ischemic stroke due to AFib not caused by a heart valve problem

• The most important way to reduce your risk of ischemic stroke due to AFib is by reducing the chance of blood clots forming
• In a clinical trial, PRADAXA was proven superior to warfarin at reducing risk of ischemic stroke in patients with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem
• Unlike warfarin, PRADAXA doesn’t require regular blood tests to see if your blood-thinning level is in the right range, and has no dietary restrictions

About DVT and PE

Doctors often refer to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) as a single condition known as VTE, which stands for venous thromboembolism. DVT and PE affect about 900,000 people in the United States every year, and are very serious conditions. In fact, PE is a medical emergency and can be fatal, but there are treatment options available and steps you can take to reduce the risk of recurrence.

DVT & PE: Do you know
the symptoms?

Common Myths About
DVT & PE

Myth

Fact

If you are young and healthy, DVT and PE won’t affect you

NOT TRUE. While people over 60 years of age are more likely to develop DVT and PE, people of all ages can be affected.

There is nothing you can do to reduce the risk of DVT and PE.

NOT TRUE. The fact is that you can reduce the risk of DVT and PE through early symptom recognition and management. Know the symptoms of DVT and PE, talk to your doctor about the risk factors for developing them, and seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience any of the symptoms. Learn more about the risk factors for developing DVT and PE.

Warfarin (also known as Coumadin^® or Jantoven^®) is the only medication approved by the FDA to treat and reduce the risk of DVT and PE occurring again.

NOT TRUE. Among the new drugs approved by the FDA for individuals who experienced a DVT or PE, PRADAXA was proven as effective as warfarin in patients who have been on an injectable blood thinner for 5 to 10 days, and to reduce the risk of recurrence. See how PRADAXA compares to warfarin.

PRADAXA had higher rates of total bleeding vs. placebo (no treatment).

The goals of treating DVT and PE

The management of DVT and PE has two goals. One of these is treatment, which includes:

• Stopping the clots from growing
• Keeping the clots from breaking free, traveling to the lungs, and causing a PE

The other important goal of management is to reduce the risk of another DVT or PE.

Start the conversation with your doctor

• In clinical trials, PRADAXA was proven as effective as warfarin in the treatment of DVT and PE in patients who have been treated with an injectable blood thinner for 5 to 10 days, and in reduction of the risk of recurrence
• Unlike warfarin, PRADAXA doesn’t require regular blood tests to see if your blood-thinning level is in the right range, and has no dietary restrictions