High Potassium Levels Threaten Heart and Kidney Health; Doctors Urge Stable Management

Taipei (CNA) — Potassium is a vital electrolyte for maintaining heartbeat and nerve conduction, but levels exceeding the limit can lead to kidney failure, arrhythmia, and even sudden death. Physicians are warning heart and kidney patients to maintain stable potassium levels to avoid repeated emergency visits or the need for urgent dialysis.

Marking World Hyperkalemia Day on May 1, the Taiwan Society of Nephrology held an awareness campaign today. Elevated blood potassium can cause fatigue, weakness, and numbness, though these symptoms are often non-specific and easily ignored. A normal potassium level should be between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L; any value above 5.0 requires active intervention.

High-risk groups include those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients on dialysis, those with heart failure (HF), diabetics, and individuals taking specific medications like potassium-sparing diuretics. Doctors recommend a multi-pronged approach: diet control (avoiding high-potassium foods like bananas, kiwis, and dried fruits), regular monitoring, and drug therapy. They also warned against hidden risks such as low-sodium salts or light soy sauces, which often substitute sodium with potassium. Newer treatment options now allow hyperkalemia to be managed as a chronic condition rather than just an acute crisis.