Potassium is one of the many minerals that your body requires for healthy function. Like the minerals calcium, chloride, magnesium and sodium, it is an electrolyte that conducts "electricity," or nerve impulses, that are necessary for regular muscle contraction, including in the heart and digestive tract. Potassium is also involved in metabolism to produce energy and maintaining a balance in your body functions and processes. However, high levels of potassium can be harmful and even life-threatening. Potassium levels can be raised through factors including illness and certain medications.
Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is a condition in which there is too much potassium in your blood. Your body works to maintain a balance of this mineral, and levels are affected by the amount of magnesium and sodium in your blood. Western diets are often sodium-heavy, which causes an increased need for potassium in the body to provide a balance. Hyperkalemia is a serious disorder that can be life-threatening. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that symptoms may include fatige, weakness, numbness, tingling, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat and in severe cases, paralysis.
Potassium From Cells
Most of the potassium in your body is contained inside your cells. When the cell walls are disrupted or damaged due to injury or disease, potassium is released and builds up in your bloodstream. MedlinePlus lists several causes of potassium release from cells, including tissue injury, burns, gastrointestinal bleeding, tumors, trauma and surgery. Acidosis, in which your bloodstream becomes acidic due to extreme physical activity, can also cause potassium to flow out of your cells.
Medications
There are several medications that can cause potassium levels to rise in your bloodstream causing hyperkalemia. Medline Plus notes that people with poor kidney function may be more susceptible to this side effect of certain medications. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs that increase potassium levels include: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions; heparin, which is used for blood clotting problems; cyclosporin for immune system suppression; and the antibiotic Bactrim. If you are taking medications that affect your potassium levels, your doctor can monitor this with blood tests.
Balancing Potassium
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the elderly are at higher risk of hyperkalemia because the kidneys become less efficient at clearing excess potassium from the body. Disorders that affect the kidneys can also cause this mineral to accumulate in the body. These include acute and chronic kidney failure, kidney infections and obstructions such as kidney stones. Medline Plus explains that the hormone aldosterone regulates the balance of potassium and sodium by the kidneys. Disorders such as Addison's disease reduce aldosterone production, causing a rise in potassium levels in the bloodstream.
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