What Is Hyperkalemia? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Hyperkalemia is a medical term for having too much potassium in your blood.

Here’s what you need to know about hyperkalemia, including signs, causes, treatments, and more.

Hyperkalemia occurs when your kidneys can no longer properly remove enough potassium from your blood, causing a buildup of the mineral in the bloodstream.

Hyperkalemia is often linked to one of the following kidney conditions:

Acute Kidney Failure When your kidneys suddenly stop filtering your blood due to acute kidney failure, it can lead to the accumulation of dangerous levels of waste products, including potassium.

The following conditions have also been linked to hyperkalemia:

• Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency)
• Alcohol use disorder (AUD, sometimes called alcoholism), which can break down muscle fibers and release potassium in the bloodstream, according to the American Heart Association
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• HIV
• Congestive heart failure

Several other factors can contribute to hyperkalemia, including:

• Dehydration
• Excessive intake of salt supplements, potassium supplements, or supplements that contain potassium
• Medications that can raise potassium levels, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta blockers
• Severe burns or massive injuries that damage muscles, releasing potassium in the body

Otherwise, your doctor may test for hyperkalemia if you have symptoms of or are at risk for the condition (for example, if you take certain medications or have a history of kidney disease).

Your doctor may run additional tests, including blood tests and a urinalysis, to check for other conditions like kidney disease.

Prognosis of Hyperkalemia

Most people with hyperkalemia don’t have complications. Often diet changes are enough to keep potassium levels under control.

Your doctor may order more frequent blood tests to keep an eye on your potassium levels.

The goal of hyperkalemia treatments is to remove excess potassium from your bloodstream and keep your potassium levels in a normal range. The treatment you’ll receive varies depending on the underlying cause and severity of hyperkalemia.

Your doctor may recommend staying away from salt substitutes and going on a low-potassium diet. Ask exactly how much potassium you’ll need to aim for, since the amount varies from person to person.

Your practitioner may also suggest changing certain medications that could affect your potassium levels.

You might also need to take medications to lower your potassium levels. These include:

• Diuretics Also know as water pills, these cause your kidneys to create more urine to flush out excess potassium.

• Potassium Binders This medication binds to potassium and keep it from building up in the bloodstream. You’ll either swallow it as a powder mixed with water or take it as an enema (via the rectum).

Prevention of Hyperkalemia

If you’re at risk for hyperkalemia, following a low-potassium diet can help lower your odds of being diagnosed with the condition.

• Asparagus
• Cooked spinach
• Potatoes
• Winter squash, including pumpkin
• Tomatoes and tomato products (like ketchup and sauces)
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Citrus fruits and juices (such as oranges and grapefruit)
• Dried fruits (such as raisins)
• Melons (like honeydew and cantaloupe)
• Nectarines
• Kiwis
• Salt substitutes, which contain potassium

In addition to the symptoms of hyperkalemia, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of heart attack, which include:

• A sensation of squeezing, pressure, or pain in your arms or chest
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking into a cold sweat
• Suddenly feeling dizzy
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

Other conditions linked to high potassium levels include:

• Heart failure
• Diabetes
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Addison's disease
• AUD (alcoholism)
• HIV

National Kidney Foundation

Most hyperkalemia cases are linked to kidney problems. The National Kidney Foundation has loads of helpful information about how your kidneys function as well as tips to prevent kidney disease and manage potassium levels.

American Kidney Foundation

In addition to information about kidney disease and kidney failure, this nonprofit organization’s website offers advice on how to become an advocate for kidney patients and take action on kidney-related issues.

Additional reporting by Colleen De Bellefonds.