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High potassium level
Hyperkalemia; Potassium - high; High blood potassium
High potassium level is a problem in which the amount of potassium in the blood is higher than normal. The medical name of this condition is hyperkalemia.
Causes
Potassium is needed for cells to function properly. You get potassium through food. The kidneys remove excess potassium through the urine to keep a proper balance of this mineral in the body.
If your kidneys are not working well, they may not be able to remove the proper amount of potassium. As a result, potassium can build up in the blood. This buildup can be due to:
-
Addison disease
. Disease in which the
adrenal glands
do not make enough hormones.
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleAdrenal glands
The adrenal glands are two triangle-shaped glands. One gland is located on top of each kidney.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Burns over large areas of the body
-
Certain blood pressure lowering drugs, most often
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
and angiotensin receptor blockers.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inh...
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
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-
Disorders that cause blood cells to burst (
hemolytic anemia
)
Hemolytic anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Normally, red ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Severe bleeding from the stomach or intestines
- Taking extra potassium, such as salt substitutes or supplements
- Tumors
Symptoms
There are often no symptoms with a high level of potassium. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Nausea
- Slow, weak, or irregular pulse
- Sudden collapse, when the heartbeat gets too slow or even stops
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.
Tests that may be ordered include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Potassium level
Your provider will likely check your blood potassium level and do kidney blood tests on a regular basis if you:
Blood potassium level
This test measures the amount of potassium in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood. Potassium (K+) helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also ...
Kidney blood tests
Kidney function tests are common lab tests used to evaluate how well the kidneys are working. Such tests include:BUN (Blood urea nitrogen) Creatinin...
- Have been prescribed extra potassium
- Have chronic kidney disease
- Take medicines to treat heart disease or high blood pressure
- Use salt substitutes
Treatment
You will need emergency treatment if your potassium level is very high, or if you have danger signs, such as changes in an ECG .
ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
Emergency treatment may include:
- Calcium given into your veins (IV) to treat the muscle and heart effects of high potassium levels
- Glucose and insulin given into your veins (IV) to help lower potassium levels long enough to correct the cause
- Kidney dialysis if your kidney function is poor
- Medicines that help remove potassium from the intestines before it is absorbed
- Sodium bicarbonate if the problem is caused by acidosis
- Some water pills (diuretics)
Changes in your diet can help both prevent and treat high potassium levels. You may be asked to:
- Limit or avoid asparagus, avocados, potatoes, tomatoes or tomato sauce, winter squash, pumpkin, and cooked spinach
- Limit or avoid oranges and orange juice, nectarines, kiwifruit, raisins, or other dried fruit, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, prunes, and nectarines
-
Avoid taking salt substitutes if you are asked to eat a
low-salt diet
Low-salt diet
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs due to breathing in a foreign substance, usually certain types of dust, fungus, or molds....
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Your provider may make the following changes to your medicines:
- Reduce or stop potassium supplements
- Stop or change the doses of medicines you are taking, such as ones for heart disease and high blood pressure
- Take a certain type of water pill to reduce potassium and fluid levels if you have chronic kidney failure
Follow your provider's directions when taking your medicines:
- DO NOT stop or start taking medicines without first talking to your provider
- Take your medicines on time
- Tell your provider about any other medicines, vitamins, or supplements you are taking
References
Kamel KS, Lin SH, Yang SS, Halperin M. Clinical disorders of hyperkalemia. In: Alpern RJ, Moe OW, Caplan M, eds. Seldin and Giebisch's The Kidney . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2013:chap 51.
Seifter JL. Potassium disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 117.
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Circulatory system - illustration
Blood used by the body is brought back to the heart and lungs by the veins of the body. Once the blood has gathered more oxygen from the lungs, it is pumped back out to the body through the arteries.
Circulatory system
illustration
Review Date: 11/1/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
