High potassium levels, or hyperkalemia, can be a life-threatening medical condition if left unchecked. Potassium is a positive ion that drives the electrical potential of excitable cells in the body. High levels of potassium make these cells in the heart, muscle and brain less excitable and eventually unresponsive. Hyperkalemia may be caused by an increase in the amount of potassium absorbed by the body or by inability of the body to eliminate potassium from the blood.
Symptoms
Hyperkalemia may have few distinct clinical symptoms. Hyperkalemia is usually discovered by a lab test that measure the level of electrolytes in the blood. Symptoms that may be noticed are slow or irregular heart beat, weakness, nausea and malaise.
Causes
The body is usually very efficient in the removal of excess potassium. Hyperkalemia is usually a result of decreased potassium removal by the kidneys with or without a large increase in intake. Kidney disease or medications that prevent the excretion of potassium, including ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics and NSAIDs often cause hyperkalemia.
Changes in mineralcorticoid hormones produced by the adrenal glands can prevent the body from responding to hyperkalemia. Excess release from damaged tissues in the case of burns or trauma can also cause hyperkalemia. (References 1 and 2)
Treatment
Hyperkalemia is a severe medical emergency, but one that is treatable during hospitalization. Intravenous administration of calcium works against the effect of high potassium on excitable cells. Insulin or albuterol may be administered to stimulate healthy cells to absorb calcium from the blood. If excess potassium remains, hemodialysis may be used to filter potassium from the blood.
Caution
Hyperkalemia is a severe medical condition with a high risk of sudden death. Professional medical help is required for proper treatment and hospitalization is usually necessary because of the risk of cardiac arrest.
