Taking cardiovascular drugs has a high risk of organ abnormalities! Is "Hyperkalemia" Serious and Possible to Death? Doctors urge: 10 kinds of foods you should stop eating
“Cardiovascular disease” is a broad term used to describe a variety of diseases, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, etc. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise and obesity are The most common factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, excessive potassium ion concentration in the blood is also closely related to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
People who take cardiovascular drugs and have organ abnormalities are at high risk! Is “Hyperkalemia” Serious and Possible to Death?
Dr. Kwok Chi Tung, Department of General Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Cathay General Hospital, said that potassium ions are an important nutrient found in many foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, fish and dairy products. Potassium supports healthy nerve, cell and muscle function, and most people should consume about 4,700 milligrams of potassium per day. Healthy blood potassium levels are 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents (mEq) per liter. Maintaining within this range supports the normal electrical conduction function of the heart and allows the muscles in various parts of the body to maintain normal function.
Dr. Guo Zhidong pointed out that potassium ions enter the body through diet, medicine and other sources, are filtered by the kidneys, and are finally excreted from the body through urine. However, if the body is unable to excrete excess intake of potassium ions due to certain pathological changes, it may lead to excessive potassium levels in the blood, a condition called “hyperkalemia.” The condition is more common in people with organ abnormalities, such as those with congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
In addition, “ACE inhibitors” and “β-receptor blockers” used to treat cardiovascular diseases are more likely to cause potassium ions in the kidneys to remain in the body, causing hyperkalemia. Untreated high levels of potassium in the blood can lead to further heart problems, such as irregular heartbeats, and may even lead to a heart attack or increase the risk of death.
What are the common symptoms of hyperkalemia? Nausea, weakness, numbness of hands and feet, seek medical attention quickly
Dr. Guo Zhidong said that common symptoms of hyperkalemia include: nausea, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, diarrhea, fainting, irregular heartbeat, and abdominal cramps. Because the above symptoms are easily confused with those of other diseases, it is almost impossible for patients to tell whether they have hyperkalemia in the early stages. Although high potassium levels can cause adverse effects on cardiovascular disease, if potassium ions in the blood are too low, it can also lead to hardening of the cardiovascular blood vessels, leading to stroke, hypertension, coronary heart disease and other diseases, and may also cause arrhythmia.
Therefore, Dr. Guo Zhidong calls on people currently suffering from cardiovascular disease to maintain potassium levels in the blood. If you have questions about potassium levels in your blood, talk to your cardiologist to make sure you’re getting the right amount of potassium in your diet. “People suffering from heart-related diseases need to know more about the connection between cardiovascular disease and hyperkalemia than the general public!”
How is hyperkalemia treated? Doctors urge: Eat less of 10 foods
If a doctor confirms that patients with cardiovascular disease are at risk of hyperkalemia, it is recommended to adjust their diet and avoid or limit high-potassium foods, such as avocados, tomatoes, potatoes, asparagus, spinach, oranges, kiwis, cantaloupe, bananas, and dried fruits. (such as raisins, dried prunes), and avoid using sodium-reduced salt or seasonings containing large amounts of potassium ions. Also, always seek the advice of a physician before taking any supplements or health foods.
Dr. Kwok Zhidong said that maintaining blood potassium levels in the body within a healthy range is a key factor in avoiding heart-related complications. A low-potassium diet, diuretics, potassium binders, or drugs that bind excess potassium ions in the intestines and stomach can all help to excrete excess potassium from the body through urine and feces. However, if the blood potassium in the body is still too high after the above treatments, hemodialysis will be needed to filter potassium ions in the blood.
Dr. Kwok Zhidong said that consuming potassium-rich foods can help protect the heart; consuming too much can lead to an increase in potassium levels in the blood and cause hyperkalemia. If you currently suffer from heart failure or are taking drugs such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, you will have a higher chance of developing hyperkalemia. High potassium levels in the blood can also interfere with the conduction of electrical signals in the heart, leading to life-threatening complications.
Therefore, Dr. Guo Zhidong recommends that people who suffer from cardiovascular disease or are at risk of cardiovascular disease should talk to a cardiologist about their dietary potassium intake, and regularly monitor the potassium ion concentration in the blood to make timely adjustments to relevant Drugs can avoid abnormalities and adverse consequences caused by blood potassium.
Further reading:
