Potassium is an essential mineral needed for the muscles, heart, nerves, cells and organs to function properly. It's important to keep the proper amount of potassium in the blood because it conducts the electricity that keeps the heart beating, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. When you have a high level of potassium--called hyperkalemia--you may not experience any symptoms at first. As levels of potassium increase, your heartbeat slows down, and very high levels may cause heart failure.
Kidney Disease
The National Library of Medicine explains that the kidneys remove excess potassium from the body by excreting it into the urine. Any disease or injury that interferes with the kidney's ability to function will cause potassium levels to increase. Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney stones and frequent urinary tract infections may cause kidney disease. Other medical conditions related to the kidneys that impact potassium levels include renal failure, transplant rejection, polycystic kidney disease and long-term inflammation.
Adrenal Gland Disease
The adrenal glands secrete a hormone called aldosterone that regulates the retention of sodium and the excretion of potassium, according to the Merck Manuals Online. Diseases that affect the adrenal glands may reduce the amount of aldosterone released. Without this signal, the kidneys will not remove the proper amount of potassium, and its level in the blood will rise.
Damage to Cells
The concentration of potassium inside the cells is about 30 times higher than outside the cells, states the Linus Pauling Institute. Since most of the potassium is found inside the cells, any injury causes extra potassium to be released into the blood. This increase may be insignificant and short term, which happens when you have blood drawn and the needle punctures cells. However, large-scale tissue destruction results in an increase in potassium levels that may be dangerous. Trauma; burns; gastrointestinal bleeding; surgery; and some diseases, such as rhabdomyolysis, which destroys muscle cells, may cause serious tissue damage leading to hyperkalemia.
Medications
Hyperkalemia is a potential side effect of certain medications. The University of Maryland Medical Center provides a list of such medications, which include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, potassium supplements and medications that affect kidney function such as diuretics.
Member Comments