Causes of hyperkalemia

The article was written by Doctor Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

Slow heart rate, weak pulse... are serious symptoms that warn of hyperkalemia. If the patient is not treated promptly, it can lead to cardiac arrest and rapid death. This is a very dangerous disease that needs to be prevented.

Normal blood potassium levels range from 3.5-5 mmol/L. When potassium is outside this limit, both an increase or decrease in potassium causes a variety of disorders that can cause cardiac arrest and death. Hyperkalemia is when the blood potassium is > 5 mmol/L. If potassium > 6 mmol/L can cause cardiac arrhythmias leading to death.
Hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic, in some cases, fatigue, weakness, palpitations or paralysis, paresthesia... Therefore, the diagnosis of hyperkalemia is based on simple clinical symptoms. Instead, patients at risk should have periodic follow-up tests to detect hyperkalemia and treat it promptly (electrolyte testing).

The kidney is the main organ responsible for the regulation of potassium, the excretion of potassium by the kidneys is mainly controlled by Aldosterone (high potassium concentration will increase the excretion of Aldosterone).
Hyperkalemia can be caused by intracellular to extracellular potassium shift, decreased potassium excretion due to kidney disease, or hyperkalemia is sometimes just a spurious condition.
Some causes of hyperkalemia include:
2.1 Transfer of potassium from intracellular to extracellular
Patients with ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes (insulin is a substance that increases the shift of potassium from the extracellular into the blood). intracellular).
2.2 Due to the use of drugs
Potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, receptor blockers... are the causes of hyperkalemia.

2.3 Causes of renal hyperkalemia
Acute or chronic renal failure. Type IV renal tubular acidosis causes the kidneys to lose the ability to excrete potassium. Aldosterone deficiency (Addison's disease). 2.4 Other causes of hyperkalemia
Excessive potassium supplementation or blood transfusion with hemolytic anemia increases potassium. Endogenous causes such as rhabdomyolysis, hemolysis, burns, or tumor lysis syndrome. Due to foods rich in potassium such as bananas, potatoes and chocolate. The blood sample is not taken properly (garo is too long), or the blood sample is stored for too long before testing.

Determining the cause of hyperkalemia for treatment and prevention is very important, but in cases of severe hyperkalemia it is second-line, emergency management of hyperkalemia is paramount. top for whatever reason.
Determine the cause of hyperkalemia:
Take a history of chronic medical conditions Take a history of drug use (currently taking drugs, has there been a recent change in medication and dosage...) Long-term and long-term treatment Treatment of hyperkalemia depends on treating the cause:
Discontinue or reduce the dose of drugs that cause renal failure or cause hyperkalemia, use other drugs instead. Limit foods rich in potassium...

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MORE:
In what cases does the blood potassium increase? Beware of hyperkalemia in patients with kidney failure What is the body like if excess - lack of potassium in the blood?