|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

What to Do With High Potassium & Cholesterol?

High blood cholesterol and high levels of potassium in the blood (also known as hyperkalemia) are both conditions that can be detrimental to your health. Both are potentially life-threatening situations that if left untreated can lead to heart disease and other harmful conditions.

  1. Hyperkalemia

    • In most situations, hyperkalemia is caused by kidney dysfunction where the organ no longer properly rids the body of potassium. Though potassium is used to stimulate the growth of muscle tissue and aid with digestion, too much of it is harmful to the body. If you do not need emergency care for hyperkalemia, long- term care involves pinpointing and treating the underlying cause of the condition. This includes cutting down on foods that are high in potassium such as bananas, spinach and tomatoes or taking medication that cuts down the level of potassium and fluids in the body. Kayexalate works by binding potassium inside the intestine where it is then removed from the body along with solid waste.

    High Cholesterol

    • Though cholesterol is used to build cells, too much of it can build deposits in the veins and arteries. These deposits limit blood flow and can lead to situations where not enough oxygen is flowing to the heart, increasing the risk of a heart attack. For many people, simple lifestyle changes such as proper diet and exercise are enough to lower cholesterol levels. Avoiding foods high in saturated fats such as red meat and dairy is advisable. If these changes do not work, there are medications your doctor can prescribe that will lower your cholesterol levels. The most commonly used drugs are statins, such as Lipitor and Zocor. These drugs work by preventing your liver from producing cholesterol. Drugs such as Questran function by forcing the liver to create more bile acids, which cut down on cholesterol.

    Identification

    • A simple blood test is conducted to determine cholesterol levels. Your doctor will examine the levels of your total cholesterol and triglycerides in your bloodstream, making a recommendation based on those results. Most often, people with high cholesterol will experience no symptoms and be unaware there is a potential problem. On the other hand, people with hyperkalemia will begin to feel nauseous, have a slow pulse and irregular heartbeat. Tests of the heart such as an ECG can determine irregularities or a blood serum test can determine potassium levels.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles