Potassium is a mineral that is important for proper heart, muscle and digestive function. Although potassium is an essential nutrient your body needs, having too much potassium can lead to a condition known as hyperkalemia. Untreated hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest or even death, so it is important to visit your doctor if you suspect you have high potassium levels.
Symptoms
Too much potassium in the body can lead to a variety of symptoms. How dangerous they are to you may depend upon medications you are taking or other conditions you may currently have. If you have high blood pressure or other heart issues, excess potassium can be problematic because it can cause arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat. According to MedlinePlus, this can lead to death in some cases. Other symptoms include a weak heartbeat or general weakness. Hyperkalemia can also cause nausea. The symptoms of high potassium can mimic the symptoms of other conditions, so it is important to visit your doctor for testing and proper diagnosis. MedlinePlus reports that testing for potassium is normally a part of an electrolyte level test.
Causes
It is unlikely you will suffer from high potassium levels from food sources, although it is possible to develop hyperkalmia by taking too much potassium via dietary supplements. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, age is also a factor in developing hyperkalmia. This is because as you age, your kidneys become less efficient at removing potassium from your blood. WomensHealth.gov also reports that older people may be at higher risk of developing hyperkalmia when they use an antiobiotic known as TMP-SMX, which is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. This drug may severely limit the ability of your kidneys to eliminate potassium. MedlinePlus reports that, in most cases, high potassium levels occur as a result of another condition, such as kidney failure, severe burns or injury, or when your urine flow is blocked.
Treatment
Treatment for hyperkalmia may vary depending on your age and the underlying cause of the condition. You should treat the underlying cause in order to prevent hyperkalmia from reoccurring. Treatments for acute hyperkalmia that is causing heart problems and needs to be addressed immediately may include oral medication, IV medication or dialysis, according to MedlinePlus. Long-term treatment may include taking a specific type of prescribed diuretic as well as avoiding high potassium foods in your diet. Some high potassium foods to avoid include bananas, chocolate, broccoli, salt substitutes, prunes and apricots, reports the Medical College of Wisconsin.
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