Fourth, nitrite inhibits platelet aggregation in HFpEF-AF patients by circumventing the platelet NO resistance phenomenon by directly activating sGC and phosphorylating VASP serine 239 independent of NO and the interaction with other formed elements of blood and their constiuents such as mitochondria (neutrophils) or haemoglobin (RBCs). This evidence concerns the gene VASP and atrial fibrillation.