Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) is a condition in which a patient has too much potassium circulating in the blood. Hyperkalemia is a serious condition that slows the heart rate, affects the kidneys and changes sodium levels in the body. Potassium is a necessary electrolyte that plays a role in the contraction and relaxation of muscles including the heart. Balance in potassium levels is required for a healthy heart and kidney function.
Irregular Heartbeat
The heart is a muscle, and the amount of potassium in the blood controls how it contracts and relaxes. People who have high amounts of potassium in the blood stream can have irregular heartbeats including weak contractions. This is a dangerous condition that can lead to cardiac arrest. Because the heart slows and the contractions get weaker, hyperkalemia also causes hypotension, which is low blood pressure. This is evident when feeling the patient's pulse. The pulse is weak, and it may be hard to detect.
Nausea and Vomiting
The gastrointestinal tract contains muscle tissue called smooth muscle. When potassium levels are high, the patient begins feeling nauseated. The nausea will persist, and it may lead to vomiting in some hyperkalemic patients. The patient may feel fatigued and weak, and may attribute these side effects with the stomach flu or a cold. When the patient lies down, the breathing may be slowed. This is due to the irregular heart beat and low blood pressure.
Paralysis and Numbness
Numbness in the feet, arms, legs or other areas of the body may be experienced by patients with high levels of potassium. The numbness may be due to the low blood pressure, so blood isn't reached to distant parts of the body. Paralysis may eventually occur, which can be caused by the muscle weakness or from low blood pressure. Inadequate blood supply to the muscles and tissues can cause abnormal cell death and damage organs.
