Hyperkalemia is the medical term for the state of having a high level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that plays a role in digestion, muscle growth and overall metabolism. Higher-than-normal levels of blood potassium can be a sign of kidney disease or a breakdown of the muscle tissue called rhabdomyolysis. Some of the methods that lower blood potassium levels can be dangerous, and must be monitored carefully by medical professionals.
Step 1
Schedule a physical exam with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms associated with high blood potassium levels to determine the cause. Not everyone with hyperkalemia will display symptoms, but those who do may feel nauseated, experience heart arrhythmias and have a slow pulse. Blood tests may be performed to measure potassium levels.
Step 2
Stop taking medications that may be leading to high blood potassium levels--with your doctor's consent. Heavy use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen) may lead to high potassium levels. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that heart patients who take both ACE inhibitors and spironolactone may be at a higher risk for developing hyperkalemia.
Step 3
Begin taking a diuretic under the supervision of your doctor. A diuretic increases urine output; potassium is excreted from the body through urine.
Step 4
Limit your consumption of foods that are naturally rich in potassium. Foods to avoid include bananas, avocado, yams, lima and pinto beans, Swiss chard, spinach and papaya.
Step 5
Undergo IV therapy under strict monitoring. Introducing calcium, insulin or glucose to the bloodstream can help lower potassium levels in the blood as well as treat the effects of hyperkalemia. IV treatment of this kind can sometimes lead to skipped heartbeats or cardiac arrest, and must be performed with the utmost care.
Step 6
Treat underlying kidney disease that can contribute to hyperkalemia. Some patients with high blood potassium levels are put on dialysis to help their kidneys process the excess potassium that has accumulated in the bloodstream.
Things You'll Need
- Blood tests
- Diuretics
- IV therapy
- Dialysis
