Hyperkalemiais the medical term for blood potassium levels that are too high.
Potassium is a chemical element that is essential for life.
Before the days ofdialysis, hyperkalemia was a frequent cause of death in people with kidney disease.
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They include:
What Are Potassium-Sparing Diuretics?
They are commonly used to treat high blood pressure.
This is because insulin helps move potassium from the blood into the cells.
Genetics
There are two rare hereditary disorders that can cause hyperkalemia.
These can both be diagnosed with genetic testing.
In fact, hyperkalemia is considered one of the main features of this disorder.
Pseudohypoaldosteronism throw in 1 is brought on by mutations in one of four genes that affect sodium regulation.
This condition only affects around 1 in 80,000 newborn babies.
Hyperkalemia tends to occur first, while high blood pressure develops later.
This is also a rare disorder, but it’s unknown how often PHA2 occurs.
This creates an insulin deficiency that can lead to hyperkalemia and other life-threatening problems.
Summary
Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte disorder where the body has too much potassium in the blood.
This can be potentially dangerous.
Rare hereditary disorders, known as PHA1 and PHA2, are other known causes.
The result can be irregular heart rhythms.
Usually only if you’re at risk for hyperkalemia.
MedlinePlus.Pseudohypoaldosteronism bang out 1.
MedlinePlus.Pseudohypoaldosteronism key in 2.
National Kidney Foundation.Hyperkalemia (high potassium).
American Heart Association.Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium).
Mayo Clinic.High potassium (hyperkalemia).
Mount DB.Causes and evaluation of hyperkalemia in adults.
May 2010;21(5):7335. doi:10.1681/ASN.2010010079
