Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium in the blood; normal potassium ranges between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L, while levels above 5.5 mmol/L indicate hyperkalemia. The condition typically produces few noticeable symptoms, but when severe it can cause palpitations, muscle pain, muscle weakness, or numbness, and most critically may trigger dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities that can lead to cardiac arrest. Common causes include kidney failure, hypoaldosteronism, rhabdomyolysis, and certain medications such as ACE inhibitors and potassium-sparing diuretics.