[ajkk44]

How does potassium deficiency increase the risk of a brain bleed in a patient with an untreated AVM?

[Gernald]

This might be totally wrong but, from what I know about potassium is that it helps maintain normal blood pressure and fluid levels. If blood pressure is too high there's more pressure on the vessels of the brain, and with an AVM this pressure is increased thus a brain bleed is caused. Conversely, if there's too much potassium then there's an increase in heart rate (due to a change in how the nerves fire) which would increase blood flow, which also increases pressure on the vessels of the brain.

I hope that explains it... potassium has so many different roles in the body, that a change in it can have so many effects.

[ajkk44]

Dear Gernald,

Thanks for this reply. It's helped answer our questions.

ajkk44

[Gernald]

Glad to help!