The Dangers of High Potassium Levels

A continuous abnormally elevated level of potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia. Even mild cases should be treated to prevent them from progressing as hyperkalemia can have very serious effects. Hyperkalemia usually is caused by kidney disorders.

Initial Symptoms

Initial symptoms of hyperkalemia might include weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps and nausea.

Cardiac Concerns

Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood can disrupt electrical activity of the heart. This can create conditions leading to cardiac arrest and death.

Specific Cardiac Effects

Cardiac electrical activity problems can cause dangerous arrhythmia; heart block, in which the signal from the upper to lower chambers is impaired; and ventricular fibrillation, uncoordinated and very rapid, ineffective contractions of the ventricles.

Genetic Considerations

A rare genetic disorder causes sudden onset of hyperkalemia, which interferes with skeletal muscle functioning and causes paralysis.

Treatment

Physicians typically treat mild hyperkalemia with a low-potassium diet and discontinuation of medications that can raise potassium levels. More severe cases require a hospital stay with intravenous medications and electrocardiographic monitoring.