VWF and large artery stroke: Magnesium also has anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties.1,3 Magnesium is considered to be nature's calcium blocker as it suppresses many of the physiologic actions of calcium.1,3 For example, calcium promotes blood coagulation, whereas magnesium suppresses blood clotting and thrombus formation and reduces platelet aggregation, the synthesis of platelet agonist thromboxane A2, von Willebrand factor binding to collagen, and thrombin-stimulated calcium influx.1,3,33, –, 35 Antithrombotic effects may lead to reduction in risk of both cardioembolic and large artery stroke.