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Reducing the Risk of Stroke

Yoshikazu Takahashi, of Nigata, Japan, was diagnosed with non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) when he was 60 years old.

Takahashi Eliquis

He had experienced a bout of lightheadedness that sent him to his doctor, who detected the disease after evaluating data from the 24-hour cardiac monitor he had Yoshikazu wear.

In NVAF, electrical activity in the heart is disordered, causing an abnormal and irregular heart rhythm that may result in blood clots that can travel from the heart to the brain and trigger a stroke.

Yoshikazu thought NVAF was a minor condition, until both his doctor and his son, an Eliquis sales representative for Bristol Myers Squibb Japan, told him otherwise.

“I never imagined that nonvalvular atrial fibrillation could lead to something more serious. I was relieved when my doctor explained more about the disease and how Eliquis could reduce my risk of having a stroke,” Yoshikazu said.

Yoshikazu (center), with his son, Hiroaki Takahashi, and granddaughter, Mei Takahashi, had not realized that NVAF increased the risk of stroke.

Yoshikazu retired from his position at a paper trading company and is back to work as a sales assistant at a printing company, accompanying sales representatives when they meet with clients. Today, six years since his diagnosis, he is grateful that his doctor prescribed Eliquis for him.

“After I learned more about the possible risks of stroke associated with NVAF, the fact that I have not suffered a stroke holds special meaning to me,” he said.

Eliquis remains the number one oral anticoagulant globally. It is used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people who have nonvalular atrial fibrillation; to treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and lungs (pulmonary embolism), and to reduce the risk of them occurring again; and to reduce the risk of the formation of a blood clot in the legs and lungs in people who have had hip or knee replacement surgery.

The patient stories shared in this Annual Report depict individual patient responses to our medicines or investigational compounds and are not representative of all patient responses. In addition, there is no guarantee that potential drugs or indications still in development will receive regulatory approval. This Annual Report contains statements about the company’s future plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from those indicated as a result of various important factors, including those discussed in the company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. These documents are available from the SEC, the Bristol Myers Squibb website or from Bristol Myers Squibb Investor Relations. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change. This Annual Report also contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, adjusted to include certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are available on the company’s website at www.bms.com