What Does an Elevated Potassium Level Indicate?

Three-fourths of all cases of elevated potassium levels indicate kidney disease, which can be fatal if it isn't treated right away. Symptoms to watch for are skin tingling, weakness, an irregular heartbeat and numb hands or feet.

• Kidney failure is the main cause of elevated potassium levels.

Definition

• An abnormally high level of potassium in your blood is called "hyperkalemia." Normally, hyperkalemia is prevented by certain organs which absorb the excess potassium, by kidneys excreting the potassium into your urine or by vomiting the potassium before it's absorbed.

Causes

• Besides kidney (renal) disease, other causes of hyperkalemia are Addison's disease (adrenal gland disease), muscle and tissue injury, acidosis (acidic blood plasma) and severe burns or infections.

Expert Insight

• According to the January 2009 Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, clinical risk factors for hyperkalemia include being elderly, of the white race, female, having poor kidney function and taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs)---both high blood pressure drugs.

Diagnosis

• The electrocardiogram (EKG) is used to diagnose hyperkalemia since elevated potassium levels cause the heart to function abnormally.

Warning

• Do not use salt substitutes if you have a history of kidney failure or hyperkalemia.

  Avoid all high potassium foods like bananas, orange juice and melons if you have hyperkalemia.