BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuHigh potassium levelHyperkalemia; Potassium - high; High blood potassiumHigh potassium level is a problem in which the amount of potassium in the blood is higher than normal. The medical name of this condition is hyperkalemia. Causes Potassium is needed for cells to function properly. You get potassium through food. Your kidneys remove excess potassium through the urine to keep a proper balance of this mineral in your body.If your kidneys are not working well, they may not be able to remove the proper amount of potassium. As a result, potassium can build up in the blood. This buildup can also be due to: Addison disease -- Disease in which the adrenal glands do not make enough hormones, reducing the kidneys' ability to remove potassium from the body Addison disease --Addison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Adrenal glandsThe adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Burns over large areas of the body Certain blood pressure lowering drugs, most often angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inh...Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medicines. They treat heart, blood vessel, and kidney problems.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Damage to muscle and other cells from certain illicit street drugs, alcohol abuse, untreated seizures, surgery, crush injuries and falls, certain chemotherapies, or certain infections Disorders that cause red blood cells to burst (hemolytic anemia) Disorders that cause red blood cells to...Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Normally, red ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe bleeding from the stomach or intestines Taking extra potassium, such as salt substitutes or supplements Tumors Symptoms There are often no symptoms with a high level of potassium. When symptoms do occur, they may include:Chest pain Difficulty breathing Nausea or vomiting Palpitations (irregular or abnormal-feeling heartbeats) PalpitationsPalpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Slow, weak, or irregular pulse Sudden collapse, when the heartbeat gets too slow or even stops Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.Tests that may be ordered include:Electrocardiogram (ECG) Blood potassium levelBlood potassium levelThis test measures the amount of potassium in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood. Potassium (K+) helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider will likely check your blood potassium level and do kidney blood tests on a regular basis if you:Kidney blood testsKidney function tests are common lab tests used to evaluate how well the kidneys are working. Such tests include:BUN (Blood urea nitrogen) Creatinin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Have been prescribed extra potassium Have long-term (chronic) kidney disease Take medicines to treat heart disease or high blood pressure Use salt substitutes Treatment You will need emergency treatment if your potassium level is very high, or if you have danger signs, such as changes in your ECG.ECGAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Emergency treatment may include:Calcium given into your veins (IV) to treat the muscle and heart effects of high potassium levels Glucose and insulin given into your veins (IV) to help lower potassium levels long enough to correct the cause Kidney dialysis if your kidney function is poor Medicines that help remove potassium from the intestines before it is absorbed Sodium bicarbonate if the problem is caused by acidosis Some diuretics (most often given by vein) that increase the excretion of potassium by your kidneys into your urineChanges in your diet can help both prevent and treat high potassium levels. You may be asked to:Limit or avoid asparagus, avocados, potatoes, tomatoes or tomato sauce, winter squash, pumpkin, and cooked spinach Limit or avoid oranges and orange juice, nectarines, kiwifruit, raisins, or other dried fruit, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, prunes, and nectarines Limit or avoid taking salt substitutes if you are asked to follow a low-salt dietLow-salt dietToo much sodium in your diet can be bad for you. If you have high blood pressure or heart failure, you may be asked to limit the amount of salt (whi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider may make the following changes to your medicines:Reduce or stop potassium supplements Stop or change the doses of medicines you are taking, such as ones for heart disease and high blood pressure Take a certain type of water pill to reduce potassium and fluid levels if you have chronic kidney failureFollow your provider's directions when taking your medicines:DO NOT stop or start taking medicines without first talking to your provider Take your medicines on time Tell your provider about any other medicines, vitamins, or supplements you are taking Outlook (Prognosis) If the cause is known, such as too much potassium in the diet, the outlook is good once the problem is corrected. In severe cases or those with ongoing risk factors, high potassium will likely recur. Possible Complications Complications may include:Heart suddenly stops beating (cardiac arrest) Kidney failure Weakness When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you have vomiting, palpitations, weakness, or difficulty breathing, or if you're taking a potassium supplement and have symptoms of high potassium.Open ReferencesReferencesMount DB. Disorders of potassium balance. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17.Seifter JL. Potassium disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 103.AllVideoImagesTogBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustrationBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustration Tests for High potassium level Potassium testPotassium urine testRelated Information Metabolism(Special Topic)Potassium test(Medical Test)Acute kidney failure(Condition)Chronic kidney disease(Condition)Lupus nephritis(Condition)Kidney transplant(Surgery)Obstructive uropathy(Condition)Glomerulonephritis(Condition)Aldosterone blood test(Medical Test)Addison disease(Condition) Review Date: 11/19/2023 Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. 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High potassium levelHyperkalemia; Potassium - high; High blood potassiumHigh potassium level is a problem in which the amount of potassium in the blood is higher than normal. The medical name of this condition is hyperkalemia. Causes Potassium is needed for cells to function properly. You get potassium through food. Your kidneys remove excess potassium through the urine to keep a proper balance of this mineral in your body.If your kidneys are not working well, they may not be able to remove the proper amount of potassium. As a result, potassium can build up in the blood. This buildup can also be due to: Addison disease -- Disease in which the adrenal glands do not make enough hormones, reducing the kidneys' ability to remove potassium from the body Addison disease --Addison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Adrenal glandsThe adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Burns over large areas of the body Certain blood pressure lowering drugs, most often angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inh...Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medicines. They treat heart, blood vessel, and kidney problems.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Damage to muscle and other cells from certain illicit street drugs, alcohol abuse, untreated seizures, surgery, crush injuries and falls, certain chemotherapies, or certain infections Disorders that cause red blood cells to burst (hemolytic anemia) Disorders that cause red blood cells to...Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Normally, red ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe bleeding from the stomach or intestines Taking extra potassium, such as salt substitutes or supplements Tumors Symptoms There are often no symptoms with a high level of potassium. When symptoms do occur, they may include:Chest pain Difficulty breathing Nausea or vomiting Palpitations (irregular or abnormal-feeling heartbeats) PalpitationsPalpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Slow, weak, or irregular pulse Sudden collapse, when the heartbeat gets too slow or even stops Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.Tests that may be ordered include:Electrocardiogram (ECG) Blood potassium levelBlood potassium levelThis test measures the amount of potassium in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood. Potassium (K+) helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider will likely check your blood potassium level and do kidney blood tests on a regular basis if you:Kidney blood testsKidney function tests are common lab tests used to evaluate how well the kidneys are working. Such tests include:BUN (Blood urea nitrogen) Creatinin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Have been prescribed extra potassium Have long-term (chronic) kidney disease Take medicines to treat heart disease or high blood pressure Use salt substitutes Treatment You will need emergency treatment if your potassium level is very high, or if you have danger signs, such as changes in your ECG.ECGAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Emergency treatment may include:Calcium given into your veins (IV) to treat the muscle and heart effects of high potassium levels Glucose and insulin given into your veins (IV) to help lower potassium levels long enough to correct the cause Kidney dialysis if your kidney function is poor Medicines that help remove potassium from the intestines before it is absorbed Sodium bicarbonate if the problem is caused by acidosis Some diuretics (most often given by vein) that increase the excretion of potassium by your kidneys into your urineChanges in your diet can help both prevent and treat high potassium levels. You may be asked to:Limit or avoid asparagus, avocados, potatoes, tomatoes or tomato sauce, winter squash, pumpkin, and cooked spinach Limit or avoid oranges and orange juice, nectarines, kiwifruit, raisins, or other dried fruit, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, prunes, and nectarines Limit or avoid taking salt substitutes if you are asked to follow a low-salt dietLow-salt dietToo much sodium in your diet can be bad for you. If you have high blood pressure or heart failure, you may be asked to limit the amount of salt (whi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider may make the following changes to your medicines:Reduce or stop potassium supplements Stop or change the doses of medicines you are taking, such as ones for heart disease and high blood pressure Take a certain type of water pill to reduce potassium and fluid levels if you have chronic kidney failureFollow your provider's directions when taking your medicines:DO NOT stop or start taking medicines without first talking to your provider Take your medicines on time Tell your provider about any other medicines, vitamins, or supplements you are taking Outlook (Prognosis) If the cause is known, such as too much potassium in the diet, the outlook is good once the problem is corrected. In severe cases or those with ongoing risk factors, high potassium will likely recur. Possible Complications Complications may include:Heart suddenly stops beating (cardiac arrest) Kidney failure Weakness When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you have vomiting, palpitations, weakness, or difficulty breathing, or if you're taking a potassium supplement and have symptoms of high potassium.Open ReferencesReferencesMount DB. Disorders of potassium balance. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17.Seifter JL. Potassium disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 103.