Study finds link between abnormal potassium levels and an increased risk of heart failure
03/19/2019 // Michelle Simmons // Views

People with heart failure should also take care of their potassium levels. According to a study in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, patients with heart failure who also have abnormally high levels of potassium in the blood are more likely to see themselves be readmitted to a hospital, or worse, die as a result of the condition.

Potassium is a mineral that is essential for cells, such as those found in heart muscles, to function normally. Together with sodium concentrations, potassium concentrations play an important role in electric signal functioning of the myocardium, which is the middle thick muscle layer of the heart. When the potassium level in the body becomes higher than normal, proper electric signals in the myocardium are disrupted. This, in turn, could lead to different types of problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat and death.

For the study, researchers from Spain looked at whether high potassium levels at admission predicts one-year outcomes in elderly patients admitted for acute heart failure. In conducting the study, the Spanish researchers examined more than 2,000 older people with heart failure from the RICA Spanish Heart Failure Registry, who were classified according to their levels of potassium. They assessed whether the participants' potassium levels were significantly associated with one-year all-cause death or hospital readmission and their combination. At admission, 3.38 percent of patients had hyperkalemia and 6.06 percent had hypokalemia or abnormally low levels of potassium.

Brighteon.TV

The researchers found that 43 percent of the participants died or were readmitted for heart failure during the follow-up period. The risk was also higher for those with abnormally high levels of potassium. These results suggest that high potassium levels may be linked to poor health status in people with heart failure.

Based on these findings, the researchers conclude that older people with heart failure and, at the same time, elevated potassium levels are at a greater risk of readmission and death.

People with heart failure are more likely to have hyperkalemia

Heart failure affects more than 37 million adults around the world and is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations and death. Hyperkalemia, which is defined as having higher than normal potassium level, is a concern in people with heart failure. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association also looked at the link between potassium levels and heart failure. A team of researchers from Denmark and Norway conducted the large population-based cohort study in Denmark to investigate the occurrence, risk factors, and outcomes of hyperkalemia in people with heart failure.

The study, which included 31,649 people with heart failure, found that almost 4 in 10 heart failure patients developed hyperkalemia over two years, and recurrences were common. The risk of developing hyperkalemia was significantly higher in heart failure patients who have weakened kidney function and those who use spironolactone, a drug for high blood pressure and heart failure. Furthermore, the team found that hyperkalemia was associated with severe clinical outcomes, such as arrhythmias, intensive care admission, and death, in people with heart failure.

With these findings, the research team suggests that efforts to prevent and control hyperkalemia should be given to individuals with heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus, and to those who use spironolactone. (Related: Tips for balancing diet with potassium for people with kidney disease.)

"Our data support the need for regular potassium measurement to identify patients with HF [heart failure] at risk of serious clinical outcomes and death," wrote the researchers.

Read more news stories and studies on the effects of potassium on the heart by going to HeartDisease.news.

Sources include:

HeartDisease.news

Heart.org

AHAJournals.org



Take Action:
Support Natural News by linking to this article from your website.
Permalink to this article:
Copy
Embed article link:
Copy
Reprinting this article:
Non-commercial use is permitted with credit to NaturalNews.com (including a clickable link).
Please contact us for more information.
Free Email Alerts
Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more.
App Store
Android App
eTrust Pro Certified

This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2022 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.

This site uses cookies
Natural News uses cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
Learn More
Close
Get 100% real, uncensored news delivered straight to your inbox
You can unsubscribe at any time. Your email privacy is completely protected.