6 Common Signs of Hyperkalemia

Your blood contains a certain level of potassium. Your body needs this essential mineral to help with specific functions, such as regulating your heartbeat, ensuring your muscles work properly, and keeping your kidneys healthy.

When potassium levels in the body are too high, it triggers a medical condition known as hyperkalemia, which can lead to more severe complications, such as muscle weakness and heart arrhythmias. This condition could also be a sign of other underlying disorders like kidney disease or diabetes.

Hyperkalemia’s symptoms can be sneaky, mimicking other less worrisome conditions. Consulting with a specialist like Deon D. Middlebrook, MDPC, a board-certified internal medicine physician in Detroit, Michigan, who has extensive experience diagnosing and managing hyperkalemia, can help catch the condition before it causes complications.

Here, we explore six common signs of hyperkalemia to help you understand the symptoms to look out for and why you need to see a specialist.

Muscle weakness and fatigue

One of the earliest signs of hyperkalemia is muscle weakness and fatigue. As mentioned, your body needs potassium for your muscles to function properly. When there’s an imbalance, you may feel exhausted and experience some weakness, particularly in your legs and arms.

If you’re physically active, it’s easy to mistake muscle weakness for other issues, like overuse. If you continue to experience these symptoms even with adequate rest, hyperkalemia may be a possible cause. 

If you have kidney problems or take medications that can affect your potassium level, it’s essential to check it regularly.

Heart arrhythmias

High potassium levels can cause your heart to beat irregularly. Potassium affects the electrical signals that control your heartbeat. When these signals are disrupted, your heart might race, skip beats, or even slow.

These arrhythmias can be mild palpitations or severe. Severe arrhythmias can lead to serious conditions like ventricular fibrillation, which can be life-threatening if it’s not treated on time. If you think you have heart arrhythmias, make an appointment at our practice as soon as you can.

Nausea and vomiting

A dozen odd things could make you feel nauseous, from eating day-old sushi to pregnancy. However, nausea and vomiting can also be signs of hyperkalemia. 

When your potassium levels are high, it can disrupt your digestive system, triggering these uncomfortable symptoms. Any case of persistent nausea or vomiting needs to be evaluated by a specialist. 

If you have other risk factors for high potassium levels or experience other symptoms of hyperkalemia, it’s even more important you see Dr. Middlebrook.

Tingling and numbness

Another sign of hyperkalemia to look out for is tingling or numbness in your hands, feet, or around your mouth. Too much potassium can affect your nerves, leading to a sensation called paresthesia, which feels like pins and needles.

You shouldn’t ignore any unexplained tingling or numbness in any part of your body. Make an appointment with Dr. Middlebrook to examine you and rule out hyperkalemia.

Difficulty breathing 

In severe cases of hyperkalemia, you might have trouble breathing. As mentioned, high potassium levels can affect your muscles, including your diaphragm, which is a muscle that helps you breathe properly.

Symptoms can include shortness of breath, breathing rapidly, or feeling like you’re not getting enough air when you breathe. If you’re experiencing breathing difficulties, you need immediate medical attention. 

Chest pain

Chest pain associated with hyperkalemia can be frightening. This pain can be similar to that of a heart attack and is often caused by your heart struggling to function properly due to high potassium levels.

You may also experience other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, sweating, or lightheadedness. Chest pain is a sign that your heart may be under significant stress; immediate treatment is critical to prevent serious complications.

Hyperkalemia is a severe condition that needs treatment as soon as it’s identified. If you suspect you have hyperkalemia or have any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult Dr. Middlebrook. He has extensive experience managing hyperkalemia effectively and reducing your risk of developing serious complications. 

Book an appointment online at any time, or call our office at 313-509-3986 today.