Hyperkalemia

Alternative names:

high potassium; potassium - high

Symptoms:

• abnormal sensations (paresthesia)
• weakness
• changes in sensation, abnormal body sensations
• irregular heartbeat (this may be an emergency symptom if prolonged or severe)
• slow, weak, or absent pulse (emergency symptom)
• difficulty breathing (emergency symptom)

Signs and tests:

Reflexes may be reduced or absent. Paralysis may be present or may occur. Breathing difficulty or respiratory arrest (inability to breathe) may occur, primarily caused by decreased muscle functioning and/or paralysis of the diaphragm. The pulse may be slow or irregular.

• Serum potassium is high.
• ECG may show potentially lethal arrhythmias:
  • bradycardia that progressively slows
  • heart block that may become complete heart block
  • ventricular fibrillation

• ECG may show changes indicative of hyperkalemia.