Dangers of High Potassium Levels in the Blood

A high level of potassium in your blood causes a condition called hyperkalemia. In many cases the reason for high levels of potassium are because of abnormal kidney function. When they are functioning normally, they remove excess potassium from your body. Other causes of hyperkalemia can be consuming too much potassium or certain medications. Serious and life-threatening problems can occur from too much potassium.

The Dangers of Hyperkalemia

• Conditions that can result from high levels of potassium include weakness, weak or slow pulse rate, irregular heartbeat, nausea, difficulty breathing and paralysis. Other complications include arrhythmias, problems with neuromuscular control or cardiac arrest.

High-Potassium Foods

• Consumption of too much high potassium food can cause levels that are too high. High-potassium fruits include avocados, bananas, nectarines and oranges. High-potassium vegetables include tomatoes, yams, parsnips and spinach. Other high potassium foods are whole grains, clams, cod, halibut, molasses, yogurt and nuts.

Kidney Disorders

• Kidney disorders that could cause higher levels of potassium include chronic or acute kidney failure, lupus nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys due to lupus), obstructive uropathy (obstruction of urine), rejection of a kidney transplant or glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the small blood vessels in the kidneys).

Medications

• Some medications can result in high levels of potassium because of their effect on your kidney function such as diuretics that include amiloride, triamterene or spironolactone. Others include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Potassium supplements may also cause hyperkalemia.

Prevention of Hyperkalemia

• While potassium is an important mineral that helps you to maintain a regular heartbeat and keeps your muscles working properly, it is also important to keep it at a safe level, particularly if you have kidney disease. You may want to discuss with your health care provider any limitations you should make on eating high potassium fruits and vegetables. You should also have routine blood tests to check your potassium levels as part of your yearly physical.

Warning: High Blood Potassium Level Dangers

• Emergency medical treatment is necessary if you experience symptoms of changes in breathing, nausea, weakness, weak or absent heartbeat or loss of consciousness.