Potassium is a mineral that plays a key role in regulating various metabolic functions and other body processes. All the cells, tissues and organs in the body need potassium to function properly. You get potassium through dietary sources. Getting too much or too little potassium can lead to serious health consequences, such as irregular heart rate or heart failure.
Hypokalemia
Although potassium deficiency is rare, individuals suffering from illness or who are taking certain medications can have low potassium. In most cases, hypokalemia -- an abnormally low level of potassium in the blood -- is not due to not getting enough potassium in your diet. Severe vomiting and diarrhea can cause the body to lose potassium. Kidney disease and adrenal gland disorders such as Cushing syndrome can also cause low potassium levels in the body. Overuse of medications including diuretics, steroids and laxatives can cause a drop in potassium levels as well.
Low Potassium Causes
The use of prescription diuretics is the most common cause of the body losing excessive potassium, according to MayoClinic.com. Diuretics, which doctors often use to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and kidney disease, help the body get rid of excess fluid and salt. However, the body also loses potassium when excreting more urine. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter wastes from the blood. Chronic kidney failure and diabetic ketoacidosis -- a condition that develops when the body has too little insulin -- are other causes of potassium loss, which lead to low potassium levels.
Hyperkalemia
Common causes of hyperkalemia -- too much potassium in the blood -- include infection, reduced kidney function and disorders that hinder the body's ability to break down protein. Mild cases of hyperkalemia may cause no symptoms. Slow heartbeat, a weak pulse and changes in breathing are symptoms of more serious cases of the condition. Hyperkalemia can be life-threatening as high potassium levels in the blood may lead to cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Heart Failure
The body needs potassium to maintain normal heart rhythm. However, too much potassium can affect the electrical rhythm of the heart, which can cause the heart to stop beating. Be careful when taking ACE inhibitor medications to help control chronic heart failure, as this type of medication causes the body to retain potassium. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about limiting potassium in your diet. Read labels and avoid the use of salt substitutes, which contain potassium.
References
- MedlinePlus: Potassium in Diet
- MayoClinic.com; Low Potassium (Hypokalemia); August 2011
- National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse; The Kidneys and How They Work; September 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hyperkalemia
- Cleveland Clinic: Heart Failure Medications
- MedlinePlus: Hyperkalemia
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