WATERBURY — Waterbury Hospital recently celebrated its 100th permanent heart implant procedure, marking a major milestone in reducing stroke risk for patients across Greater Waterbury.

Waterbury Hospital is the only hospital in the region offering the heart implant, an alternative to lifelong blood thinners for individuals with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. Atrial fibrillation — an irregular heartbeat that can feel like a fluttering or quivering sensation — affects an estimated seven million Americans. Those with this condition face a five-times higher risk of stroke compared to people with normal heart rhythms.

The WATCHMAN FLX device works by sealing off the heart’s left atrial appendage, preventing harmful blood clots from entering the bloodstream and potent

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