What are the symptoms of hyperkalemia?
The clinical manifestations of hyperkalemia primarily involve the cardiovascular system and neuromuscular system. The severity of symptoms depends on the degree and rate of potassium elevation in the blood, as well as the presence of other plasma electrolyte and water metabolism disorders. What are the symptoms of hyperkalemia?
1.
Hyperkalemia inhibits the myocardium, reducing myocardial tension, resulting in bradycardia and cardiac enlargement, weakened heart sounds, and susceptibility to arrhythmias, but not heart failure. The electrocardiogram (ECG) exhibits characteristic changes related to the degree of potassium elevation. When blood potassium exceeds 5.5 mmol/L, the ECG shows shortened Q-T intervals, tall and symmetric T waves with a narrow base and tent-like appearance. At 7 to 8 mmol/L, the p-wave amplitude decreases, the p-R interval prolongs, and p waves may disappear, which may indicate sinoatrial block or sinus arrest, and "sinus-ventricular" conduction may occur (the sinus node transmits impulses to the ventricles through special intramuscular fiber bundles instead of the normal atrial conduction system). When blood potassium rises to 9 to 10 mmol/L, intraventricular conduction slows down, the QRS complex widens, the R-wave amplitude decreases, the S-wave deepens, and connects directly and merges with the T-wave. At 11 mmol/L, the QRS complex, ST segment, and T-wave merge into a biphasic undulating waveform. At 12 mmol/L, part of the myocardium becomes excited and recovers while another part remains unpolarized, making it highly susceptible to reentrant activity and causing ventricular ectopic rhythms manifested as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular flutter, and ventricular fibrillation, ultimately leading to cardiac arrest in diastole.
2.
Early symptoms include numbness around the limbs and mouth, extreme fatigue, muscle soreness, pale and cold limbs. When blood potassium reaches 7 mmol/L, numbness and flaccid paralysis of the limbs occur, starting from the trunk and spreading to the limbs, eventually affecting the respiratory muscles and causing asphyxia. The central nervous system may manifest as agitation or confusion.
3.
Hyperkalemia increases the release of acetylcholine, causing nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Due to the toxic effects of high potassium on muscles, it can cause tetraplegia and respiratory arrest. All cases of hyperkalemia exhibit varying degrees of azotemia and metabolic acidosis, which can exacerbate hyperkalemia. The symptoms of these conditions are now clear. The sudden onset of the disease can cause symptoms such as dizziness, accompanied by muscle tension. Excessive potassium levels are highly toxic to muscles. Details of these conditions will help you control your potassium levels and avoid high-potassium foods such as chemical hotpot seasonings. Seek medical attention promptly for your health.
