Member-only story
Failing Kidneys and the Risk of High Potassium
Potassium is important for normal functioning of the heart. When the kidneys don’t function properly, blood potassium can rise to dangerously high levels.
When we think about how to keep our bodies healthy, we often think about nutrients in one way: “Do I have enough?” But is there ever a situation when you can have too much of a nutrient? Depending on the state of your health, the answer is yes.
Potassium and Reduced Kidney Function or CKD
For people with reduced kidney function (such as those with chronic kidney disease or CKD), too much potassium can be dangerous, even fatal.[1] Fortunately, many patients know that elevated potassium levels are a threat. In a survey by the National Kidney Foundation, 50 percent of CKD patients said high potassium was a very important health concern. However, CKD patients who were surveyed were not necessarily aware of their potassium levels.[2] In my own practice, many of my patients are not aware of their potassium levels until I point out to them that their levels are abnormal. This disconnect is a real problem and concern without real-world knowledge can lead to dangerous outcomes.
