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Circulatory system
Circulatory system
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Hyperkalemia

Alternative Names:
High potassium; Potassium - high

Symptoms:

Hyperkalemia is often asymptomatic. 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)


Signs and tests:
  • The pulse may be slow or irregular.
  • Serum potassium is high.
  • ECG may show potentially lethal arrhythmias:
    • Bradycardia that progressively slows.
    • Heart block that may become complete heart block.
    • Ventricular fibrillation.
  • ECG may show changes indicative of hyperkalemia.


Review Date: 1/19/2002
Reviewed By: Andrew Koren, M.D., Department of Nephrology, NYU-Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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