Potassium is an electrolyte the body needs to perform several functions. This mineral assists with making proteins, metabolizes carbohydrates, helps build muscles and regulates the electrical activity of the heart. Your body gets potassium from eating foods rich in the nutrient, such as milk, nuts and bananas. Having too much potassium in the body -- a condition called hyperkalemia -- may cause serious complications.
Potassium Levels
A physician orders a blood potassium test to determine the level of the electrolyte in your body. Symptoms of hyperkalemia may prompt a blood test to confirm the level. A normal blood potassium level falls between 3.6 and 4.8 mEq/L. Hyperkalemia occurs when potassium levels exceed 6.0 mEq/L.
Causes
Several factors may cause an increase in potassium levels in your body. Eating large amounts of potassium-rich foods may increase levels, but normal-functioning kidneys will remove the excess amounts of potassium from your body. People with kidney failure may have higher-than-normal levels of potassium because of their inability to remove the electrolyte. Additional causes for high potassium levels include trauma to the body and tissue injury, including burns, surgery, gastrointestinal bleeding and tumors.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of high potassium levels include an irregular heartbeat, nausea and changes in the pulse, which may include an absent, slow or weakened pulse. Some people may experience no symptoms related to the increased potassium. Signs of hyperkalemia include changes in an electrocardiogram, which may show serious heart conditions such as a heart block, a slow heart rate or ventricular fibrillation.
Treatment
Hyperkalemia requires hospitalization to treat the condition. Emergency treatment for high levels includes performing dialysis to remove potassium from the blood, administering diuretic medication to increase the amount of potassium excreted in the urine, and administration of medications. Common medications used to treat high potassium levels include calcium, sodium polystyrene sulfonate and sodium bicarbonate. Treatment options for long-term hyperkalemia include reducing potassium supplements, decreasing the amount of potassium in your diet and taking diuretics to help your body flush out excessive potassium.
Possible Complications
Serious complications may occur from having high potassium levels. Your heart may experience arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms, and cardiac arrest. Changes in muscle or nerve control may also occur with hyperkalemia.
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