HIGH POTASSIUM-WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

HIGH POTASSIUM IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS PATIENTS ARE REFERRED TO OUR OFFICE, ONE OF THE MOST COMMON ELEVATIONS ON OUR PATIENTS LABS, AND THE MOST COMMON REASON WE ASK TO HAVE LABS REPEATED.

WHY?

BECAUSE ONE OF THE MANY VARIED THINGS THE WONDERFUL KIDNEYS DO IS TO KEEP OUR ELECTROLYTES AND MINERALS IN BALANCE. WHEN THE KIDNEY GETS SLUGGISH(AS IN A PATIENT WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE OR CKD), THE KIDNEY CAN FAIL TO PROPERLY EXCRETE OR GET RID OF EXCESS POTASSIUM.

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

POTASSIUM REGULATES OUR MUSCLES INCLUDING OUR HEART MUSCLE. EXCESSIVE LEVELS CAN DISTURB BOTH THE RHYTHM AND THE CONTRACTILITY OF YOUR HEART. IN SEVERE CASES THIS CAN LEAD TO CARDIAC STANDSTILL(CARDIAC ARREST). IN FACT DURING OPEN HEART SURGERY THE HEART IS MADE TO STOP BEATING BY BATHING IT IN A POTASSIUM SOLUTION. SO WHEN WE CALL AND SAY YOUR LEVEL IS HIGH YOU HAVE TO ACT ON IT.

HOW DO WE GET POTASSIUM IN US?

THROUGH OUR MOUTH-WHAT WE EAT OR WHAT WE TAKE AS MEDICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTS. CERTAIN MEDICATIONS MAKE US "HANG ON
"TO POTASSIUM SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE LOOK AT AS WELL.

THIS MONTH WE WILL EXPLORE WHAT MAKES THE LEVEL HIGH, HOW WE KNOW ITS NOT A FALSELY ELEVATED LEVEL(AND IT OFTEN IS), WHAT YOUR DIET CONTRIBUTES TO THIS, AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DIET FAILS TO LOWER IT.

PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEOS THAT PERTAIN TO POTASSIUM THIS MONTH, INCLUDING HOW TO LOWER THE POTASSIUM(K)LEVEL IN THE FOODS YOU LOVE. CLICK ON OUR LINK IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN FOR LISTS OF THE POTASSIUM CONTENT OF FOODS.