Hyperkalemia

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Circulatory system

High potassium; Potassium - high

Hyperkalemia often has no symptoms. Occasionally, the following signs or symptoms may be seen:

• Nausea
• Irregular heartbeat (this may be an emergency symptom if prolonged or severe)
• Slow, weak, or absent pulse (emergency symptom)

• The pulse may be slow or irregular.
• Serum potassium is high.
• ECG may show potentially lethal arrhythmias :
  • Bradycardia (slower-than-normal heart beat) that progressively slows.
  • Heart block that may become complete heart block.
  • Ventricular fibrillation.
• ECG may show changes indicative of hyperkalemia.

Review Date: 12/09/2005
Reviewed By: Colm C. Magee, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Renal Transplant, Brigham & Women's Hospital, and Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.