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What Is the Meaning of High Potassium?

Potassium is an electrolyte essential to the proper functioning of muscles, nervous system, digestion, metabolism and homeostasis. High potassium levels in the blood, also known as hyperkalemia, means that something has happened to cause potassium to build up rather than being metabolized and excreted. High potassium levels can also occur if an event or condition causes a massive release of potassium from the cells into the bloodstream.

  1. Causes

    • Problems that cause higher potassium levels can include diseases such as diabetes, sickle cell disease, Addison's disease, lupus, glomerulonephritis or kidney failure. Urinary blockage can damage the kidneys as well. Problems with the kidneys can also result in increased sensitivity to medications and foods that increase blood potassium levels. Traumatic injury can cause the cells to release potassium into the blood, resulting in elevated potassium levels. This can include burns, surgery, internal bleeding, tumors, and rhabdomyolysis.

    Significance

    • High potassium levels are an indication that something is wrong in the body, usually related to the kidneys. As long as the kidneys are functioning properly other issues that lead to elevated potassium levels will usually not result in hyperkalemia because the kidneys are able to filter the excess potassium from the blood.

    Symptoms

    • Side effects from elevated potassium levels may not be felt until potassium levels are dangerously high. Symptoms can include nausea, fatigue, vomiting, muscle weakness or tingling in the extremities. Patients have also reported a heavy feeling in the arms and legs, faintness, confusion, dizziness or shallow breathing. Severe hyperkalemia, which is anything over 7.0 mEq/L, can result in diarrhea, chest pain, heart palpitations or heart failure. If your kidneys are compromised in any way and you experience any of these symptoms, obtain medical help immediately.

    Short Term Treatment

    • If the condition is severe, it may require a hospital visit. Doctors may administer a blood test to determine the blood potassium levels and an ECG to determine changes in the heartbeat. Treatment may include substances that encourage movement of potassium back into the cells, such as insulin and glucose, sodium bicarbonate, albuterol or epinephrine. Sodium bicarbonate can also promote movement of potassium back into the cells and help counteract the effects of acidosis. Intravenous calcium may be administered to protect the heart and muscles from the effects of high blood potassium levels. Diuretics will help the kidneys excrete more liquid, including potassium. Binding resins, or cation-exchange resins, work in the digestive system, binding potassium and excreting it via the digestive tract. Dialysis may be required if the kidneys are severely compromised.

    Long-Term Treatment

    • Long-term treatment can be effective when hyperkalemia is mild (5.1-6.0 mEq/L) to moderate (6.1-7.0 mEq/L). This will include a diet that regulates foods containing potassium, diuretics (not including potassium-sparing diuretics) and treatment of the underlying health problems causing elevated potassium levels. Patients should avoid foods high in potassium. Medications should be evaluated and any that increase sensitivity or encourage increased blood potassium levels should be reconsidered. These include ACE inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and potassium-sparing diuretics.

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