I was recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. I now take the blood thinner Xarelto, among other things. Recently, blood tests showed that my potassium level is too low; I now get a potassium drink for that. Now I wonder whether the atrial fibrillation was caused by the potassium deficiency. If so, could I possibly stop the blood thinner?
No, unfortunately it is more complicated. A lack of potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, but of a different type than atrial fibrillation. You cannot stop taking the blood thinners until your heartbeat is regular. The main problem with atrial fibrillation is that the atria no longer contract properly. This creates corners in the atria where the blood comes to a standstill and can clot. Those clots can at some point be carried along with the blood stream, get caught somewhere in the vascular system and block blood flow, leading to a stroke. So don’t stop with the Xarelto.
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