Question 1

could having high potassium cause heart attacks?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Severe hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest, but not myocardial infarction (blockage of the heart arteries). It is highly lethal when it is very elevated and causes characteristic changes on EKG. It may be caused by undiagnosed kidney failure. It can be readily treated in an ER.

Question 2

please tell me what can high potassium level in blood cause?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia effects: High blood potassium levels, hyperkalemia, (h) can lead to abnormal heart rhythms. Moderate h can produce ekg changes (ekg is an electrical reading of the heart muscles). Severe h can cause suppression of electrical activity of the heart and can cause the heart to stop beating. H can also cause muscle weakness or paralysis in severe cases. If you have h, see a nephrologist for a diagnosis and cure.

Question 3

other than kidney, adrenal, or dietary issues are there other causes for high potassium? my levels stay around 5.5 and nobody can find any problems.

Accepted Answer

Watch it: if you have had extensive work up and seen a nephrologist and reviewed your meds, I would just keep monitoring it. normal is what 65% of population has, and you just happen to fall outside the curve but can still be normal. any family history of hyperkalemia?

Question 4

what are common causes of high potassium levels?

Accepted Answer

Factors: A simplistic way to look at it: 
potassium levels can be high if the dietary intake is high, if the excretion is low (eg. In kidney disease, or in certain states when the kidneys can't excrete potassium well even if the function otherwise is normal like rta), or if potassium shifts from inside the cells to the blood stream.

Question 5

and what is a reason to go on a high potassium diet?

Accepted Answer

Low potassium: Potassium is a necessary ion (electrolyte) which is necessary for all cells but especially cardiac conduction. Low potassium raises the risk of arrhythmias. Kidneys very closely regulate potassium. Diarrhea, diuretics,  vomiting, severe sweating, nasogastric drainage and (maybe) bizarre diet can cause a low potassium. If a measured potassium is low, supplementation with diet or meds is advised.

Question 6

what problems could high potassium levels in the blood cause?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac problems: the most feared and morbid complication is a cardiac arrhythmia which could be fatal. This is usually caused by an acute rise in potassium level. The body may adapt to a slow chronic rise and therefore a treatment plan should be dictated by your doctor who would follow the level closely.

Question 7

can high hba1c cause high potassium levels?

Accepted Answer

Indirectly: If you mean hga1c, that is a test for diabetes.  Diabetes is the number 1 cause of renal failure in the United States.  Since potassium only leaves the body through the urine and stool, if your kidney function worsens with poorly controlled diabetes resulting in high hga1c, your kidneys may not be able to control the potassium level resulting in high potassium.

Question 8

is it possible for lisinapril to cause high potassium?

Accepted Answer

Lisinopril: can cause elevated potassium

Question 9

does low or high potassium blood levels cause dizziness?

Accepted Answer

Both can: High potassium and low potassium both can cause dizziness if severe enough to cause low blood pressure by affecting heart rhythm.

Question 10

can high potassium cause sudden increase in urine output?

Accepted Answer

High potassium: The level of one's potassium (k) has no influence on the amount of urine being made. Increased serum k does not increase urine production, off diuretics (d). If one is taking (d), k could be low due to urinary losses of k and/or magnesium.

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Doctor answers about:

Does malnutrition cause high potassium

A member asked:

Could having high potassium cause heart attacks?

A member asked:

Please tell me what can high potassium level in blood cause?

A member asked:

Other than kidney, adrenal, or dietary issues are there other causes for high potassium? my levels stay around 5.5 and nobody can find any problems.

A member asked:

What are common causes of high potassium levels?

A member asked:

And what is a reason to go on a high potassium diet?

A member asked:

What problems could high potassium levels in the blood cause?

A member asked:

Can high hba1c cause high potassium levels?

A member asked:

Is it possible for lisinapril to cause high potassium?

A member asked:

Does low or high potassium blood levels cause dizziness?

A member asked:

Can high potassium cause sudden increase in urine output?

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