Symptoms Of Too Much Potassium In The Blood

The nutrient potassium is vital for human health as it aids in metabolism and digestion and helps muscle and nerve tissue function properly. However, too much potassium--a condition called hyperkalemia--is a concern as well. About 98 percent of the potassium in your body resides in organs and cells, while the remaining two percent circulates in the blood stream, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. When too much potassium builds up in the blood stream, it is often because the kidneys are not properly removing it as waste. Many people with hyperkalemia will notice no symptoms. If untreated, hyperkalemia can be deadly.

Heart Rhythm

Too much potassium in the blood stream can cause dangerous changes to your heart rate. In some cases, your pulse may be weak, slower than normal or absent, according to MedlinePlus. When your heartbeat slows or stops, it is a medical emergency because cardiac arrest is imminent.

Nausea

Some people with hyperkalemia may also struggle with nausea and bouts of vomiting, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Nausea and vomiting alone should not be taken as a sign of a high potassium level because they are common symptoms of many medical conditions ranging from mild to severe.

Breathing Difficulties

Difficulty breathing, including shortness of breath and wheezing, may develop in some people experiencing hyperkalemia, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Breathing problems can signify many conditions, however, and are not necessarily a sign of a high blood potassium level.

Tingling and Numbness

As blood potassium levels rise, some people may notice they are experiencing tingling and numbness, according to the Penn State University Hershey Medical Center. These bothersome sensations most often develop in the hands and feet or elsewhere on the extremities.

Weakness

Muscle weakness can also develop as potassium levels rise. In some cases, people can become develop flaccid paralysis or limpness in parts of the body, according to the Hershey Medical Center. Generalized unexplained fatigue can also develop.