Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte shift in which there is too much potassium in the blood serum. The values exceed concentrations of 6.0 mmol/l (normal values are 3.5 mmol/l to 5.5 mmol/l). Changes in potassium concentration can have life-threatening effects on heart activity and impulse transmission between nerves and muscles. Hyperkalemia can be attributed to two main causes: Excretion via the kidneys does not function sufficiently. It is important to know that 90% of potassium excretion takes place via the kidneys and 10% via the gastrointestinal tract. Another reason is the shift of potassium distribution from the intracellular to the extracellular space. The mineral occurs 98% intracellularly and only 2% in blood serum (extracellular). A shift in concentration between the two parts of the body also causes hyperkalemia.