Q: how low can someone's blood pressure go before they go into cardiac arrest or shock?

SBP<90/ in shock: Shock is typically defined as a systolic BP less than 90. This is usually inadequate an explanation because the physiologic definition implies a drop in BP such that visceral organ blood flow is so reduced that mentation is altered and multisystem failure begins (with cns, renal, liver failure). Lactic acid builds up when a lack of perfusion (and hence oxygen delivery) ensues.

Q: is it possible beta blockers could drop heart rate too low and cause cardiac arrest? what would be a concerning heart rate?

Beta Blockers: It is definitely possible for beta blockers to cause the heart rate to drop too low (called bradycardia) but cardiac arrest would be extremely unusual. A low heart rate becomes concerning when someone is having symptoms (such as sweating, dizziness, nausea, etc.) and if it doesn't increase with activity. Some elite athletes have resting heart rates below 40 bpm.

Q: i have hypokalemia which is low potassium in my blood should i play soccer today or wait?

Low potassium: You would be better off waiting for your potassium (k) levels to rise before you play soccer. The more important question is, why is your k low? Are you on any medications that would lower it, like diuretics? Do you have a low magnesium level? See a physician to get to the cause of your low k level. It is better to prevent a problem than treat it.

Question 1

what mechanism that high potassium causes cardiac arrest? i just know high k+ causes hyper excitability of cells?

Accepted Answer

Cell repolarization: When cardiac muscle cells fire, they use up part of the electrochemical gradient they maintain in life. They are repolarized by an outward potassium (K+) flux across the plasma membrane. This outward K+ current depends on the K+ electrochemical gradient. If the "outside" K+ (in blood &amp; interstitial fluid) is very high, that destroys the K+ electrochemical gradient, the cells can't repol; they stop

Question 2

cardiac arrest from high potassium treatment in er?

Accepted Answer

High potassium: Yes I have seen this and had a family with several who died from it.  Well in them they were treating low K and got it too high. So need more information. Happy to do 2nd opinion.

Question 3

should i worry about a heart attack if i am having symptoms of low potassium such as cramps?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: At 34 yrs of age the odds of you having a heart attack is very small.  Also cramps are not typical complaint during a heart attack.  The symptoms are ususally, squeezzing chest pain, pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, sweatiness.  The pain can move to neck, jaw, arms, or back.  Leg cramps can be from low potassium but other causes too.

Question 4

i've been having chest pains randomly for about a week and i've been to the er twice. ekg and x-ray showed normal. low potassium.is heart attack likely?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: A heart attack without major risk factors at 19 is rare - low potassium is not necessarily  normal - make sure that any of your medications couldn't be affecting your potassium - are you having any reflux symptoms ?

Question 5

i got my blood work done six years ago and it was normal. now i have low hemoglobin, low mch, high rdw and low potassium. i have dizziness, bouts of rapid heart rate and heart palpitations. i have normal cardiac workup. could it be because of bleeding? is

Accepted Answer

Anemia : Your symptoms could be from irin deficiency anemia from bleeding from somewhere which includes menstruation. No potassium is not explainable , are you having severe diarrhea or are you taking water pills.

Question 6

my resting heart rate ranges from 55-60 bpm. if i get surgery with general or spinal anesthesia can having a low resting heart rate (no congenital heart disease or arrhythmia. except benign palpitations) put me at risk of cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

: If you don't have a history of heart block or other episodes of severe bradyarrythmias ( very slow heart rhythms) your resting heart rates of 55-60 are not predisposing you to  cardiac arrest during anesthesia or surgery more than the general population.  In addition your heart is closely monitored by the anesthesiologist  who can reverse bradyarrthmia with IV meds.

Question 7

does cardiac arrest result when your pulse rate drops low?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac Arrest: Is when the heart stops beating or has a chaotic rhythm as not to have a blood pressure or spontaneous respirations.

Question 8

how low can someone's blood pressure go before they go into cardiac arrest or shock?

Accepted Answer

SBP<90/ in shock: Shock is  typically defined as a systolic BP less than 90.  This is usually inadequate an explanation because the physiologic definition implies a drop in BP such that visceral organ blood flow is so reduced that mentation is altered and multisystem failure begins (with cns, renal, liver failure).  Lactic acid builds up when a lack of perfusion (and hence oxygen delivery) ensues.

Question 9

is it possible beta blockers could drop heart rate too low and cause cardiac arrest? what would be a concerning heart rate?

Accepted Answer

Beta Blockers: It is definitely possible for beta blockers to cause the heart rate to drop too low (called bradycardia) but cardiac arrest would be extremely unusual. A low heart rate becomes concerning when someone is having symptoms (such as sweating, dizziness, nausea, etc.) and if it doesn't increase with activity. Some elite athletes have resting heart rates below 40 bpm.

Question 10

i have hypokalemia which is low potassium in my blood should i play soccer today or wait?

Accepted Answer

Low potassium: You would be better off waiting for your potassium (k) levels to rise before you play soccer. The more important question is, why is your k low? Are you on any medications that would lower it, like diuretics? Do you have a low magnesium level? See a physician to get to the cause of your low k level. It is better to prevent a problem than treat it.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Low potassium cardiac arrest

A member asked:

What mechanism that high potassium causes cardiac arrest? i just know high k+ causes hyper excitability of cells?

A member asked:

Cardiac arrest from high potassium treatment in er?

A member asked:

Should i worry about a heart attack if i am having symptoms of low potassium such as cramps?

A member asked:

I've been having chest pains randomly for about a week and i've been to the er twice. ekg and x-ray showed normal. low potassium.is heart attack likely?

A member asked:

I got my blood work done six years ago and it was normal. now i have low hemoglobin, low mch, high rdw and low potassium. i have dizziness, bouts of rapid heart rate and heart palpitations. i have normal cardiac workup. could it be because of bleeding? is

A member asked:

My resting heart rate ranges from 55-60 bpm. if i get surgery with general or spinal anesthesia can having a low resting heart rate (no congenital heart disease or arrhythmia. except benign palpitations) put me at risk of cardiac arrest?

A member asked:

Does cardiac arrest result when your pulse rate drops low?

A member asked:

How low can someone's blood pressure go before they go into cardiac arrest or shock?

A member asked:

Is it possible beta blockers could drop heart rate too low and cause cardiac arrest? what would be a concerning heart rate?

A member asked:

I have hypokalemia which is low potassium in my blood should i play soccer today or wait?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?