What does it mean when your potassium is high?
Hyperkalemia occurs when potassium levels in your blood get too high. Potassium is an essential nutrient found in foods. This nutrient helps your nerves and muscles function. But too much potassium in your blood can damage your heart and cause a heart attack.
What are the symptoms of high potassium levels?
If hyperkalemia comes on suddenly and you have very high levels of potassium, you may feel heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting. Sudden or severe hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition. It requires immediate medical care.
How is high potassium treated NHS?
Urgent treatment is usually needed if the potassium levels are above 6….Adding a new medicine
- Sodium bicarbonate. This acts by binding with the acid in your blood stream.
- Potassium binders.
- Diuretics (water tablets).
How do I lower my potassium level NHS?
Vegetables Vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, parsnips, beetroot (fresh), baked beans. It is important to reduce intake of all vegetables which have not been boiled. 2-3 x 80g portions per day of other boiled vegetables e.g. boiled carrots, peas, cauliflower, frozen mixed vegetables.
What is the main cause of high potassium?
The most common cause of high potassium is kidney disease. Other causes of high potassium include: Dehydration. Some medicines.
How serious is high potassium levels?
Having too much potassium in your blood can be dangerous. Potassium affects the way your heart’s muscles work. When you have too much potassium, your heart may beat irregularly, which in the worst cases, can cause heart attack. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 for emergency help.
How do I bring my potassium level down?
Home remedies for reducing potassium
- Reduce your potassium intake. One of the easiest ways to lower your potassium levels naturally is to reduce the amount of potassium in your diet.
- Check your salt substitutes. Some salt substitutes are also high in potassium.
- Drink more water.
- Avoid certain herbs.
What foods raise potassium levels?
Add more fruit to your diet. High fruit sources of potassium include avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, mangos, papayas, oranges, apricots, kiwis and raisins.
What should I do about my high potassium level?
Reduce your potassium intake. One of the easiest ways to lower your potassium levels naturally is to reduce the amount of potassium in your diet.
What causes slightly high potassium levels?
One common reason that an individual may have elevated potassium levels is a dysfunction of the kidneys. Usually, people keep very consistent levels of potassium thanks to the filtering action of the kidneys, and so anything that impedes this, like lupus or kidney stones, can result in elevated potassium levels.
How does a high level of potassium affect the body?
The body needs a delicate balance of potassium to help the heart and other muscles work properly. But too much potassium in your blood can lead to dangerous, and possibly deadly, changes in heart rhythm. Hyperkalemia can happen if your kidneys don’t work properly and cannot remove potassium from your body or if you take certain medicines.
