Overview
Hyperkalemia means the level of potassium in the blood is higher than normal. Potassium helps nerves and muscles, including the heart, work properly, so very high levels can be dangerous. It is often found on a blood test and may cause few or no symptoms until it is severe.
Symptoms
- Often no symptoms
- Muscle weakness or tiredness
- Numbness or tingling
- Nausea
- Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
- In severe cases, the heart rhythm can become dangerously abnormal
Causes & risk factors
- Reduced kidney function or kidney failure
- Certain medicines that affect potassium handling
- Severe dehydration
- Significant tissue or muscle injury
- Some hormone or adrenal gland disorders
- Occasionally a falsely high reading from how blood was drawn
Treatment & self-care
A clinician confirms the level, looks for the cause, and may check the heart's electrical activity. Management depends on how high the potassium is and how fast it rose, and ranges from adjusting medicines and diet to urgent hospital treatment for dangerous levels. Because severe hyperkalemia can affect the heart, it must be evaluated and managed by a licensed clinician.
See a doctor urgently if
- You have kidney disease and are told your potassium is high
- You feel muscle weakness, palpitations, or an irregular heartbeat
- Seek emergency care immediately for chest pain, fainting, severe weakness, or a very irregular or slow heartbeat
This condition can be an emergency. If any of the signs above are severe or getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room now or call your local emergency number — do not wait for an online consultation.