Normal Potassium Levels

Hyperkalemia refers to the condition in which the amount and concentration of potassium in the blood is higher than normal. Normal potassium levels in adults are 3.5 to 5.0 milliequivelants or mEq/L. Extreme hyperkalemia is considered to be a medical emergency due to the risk of potentially fatal abnormal heart rhythms. Most often, extreme hyperkalemia is discovered during the taking and reading of blood tests for medical disorders or it only is recognized once complications have set in such as cardiac arrhythmia.

Hyperkalemia typically is characterized by having a potassium level greater than 5.3 mEq/L. Potassium is naturally obtained from eating foods rich in this essential nutrient such as meats, whole grains, fruits, beans and vegetables. Your body regulates blood potassium levels by shifting potassium into and out of cells. When there is a breakdown or destruction of cells, potassium moves from inside of cells to the outside of cell walls. This shifting of potassium outside of the cells is what causes hyperkalemia.

The kidneys are responsible for excreting potassium out of your system. If the kidneys are not working properly, there may be an increase of potassium present in the bloodstream, leading to hyperkalemia. Problems with adrenal glands or hormonal issues can cause hyperkalemia as can drugs used in chemotherapy. Foods containing salt substitutes contain high levels of potassium and if these foods are consumed in great quantities, high potassium levels may develop.

Extreme hyperkalemia is dangerous as the heart rate can drop dramatically. These changes in the heart’s rhythm can be seen on an EKG which is a test that should be done whenever a person has a high blood potassium level. Complete cardiac blockage can occur which means that the electrical signals that tell the ventricles of the heart to contract are slowed wherein the heart rate can drop to a dangerously low rate. Ventricular fibrillation can occur with extreme hyperkalemia and this condition can only be treated by cardiac defibrillation.

A person with extreme hyperkalemia may be completely limp and paralyzed. Severe hyperkalemia also can cause feelings of tingling and numbness. The abdomen can also be distended and nausea present in cases of severe hyperkalemia. Sadly, because many of the symptoms of this condition are non-specific, extreme hyperkalemia can go undiagnosed until it is too late to save the affected patient’s life.