Discharge Instructions for Hyperkalemia

You have been diagnosed with hyperkalemia. This means you have a high level of potassium in your blood. Potassium is important to the function of the nerve and muscle cells. This includes the cells of the heart. But a high level of potassium in the blood causes serious problems. These include abnormal heart rhythms and even heart attack.

Diet changes

Eat less of these potassium-rich foods:

• Bananas

• Apricots, fresh or dried

• Oranges and orange juice

• Grapefruit juice

• Tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato juice

• Spinach

• Green, leafy vegetables, including salad greens, kale, broccoli, chard, and collards

• Melons of all kinds

• Peas

• Beans

• Potatoes

• Sweet potatoes

• Avocados and guacamole

• Vegetable juice (homemade or store-bought) and vegetable juice cocktail

• Fruit juices

• Nuts, including pistachios, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, or mixed nuts

• "Lite" or reduced sodium salt

Other home care

• Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Also tell them about herbal or dietary supplements you are taking. Certain medicines and supplements can increase potassium levels.

• Take all medicines exactly as directed.

• Have your potassium levels checked regularly.

• Keep all follow-up appointments. Your healthcare provider needs to monitor your condition closely.

• Learn to take your own pulse. If your pulse is less than 60 beats per minute, greater than 100 beats per minute, or irregular, call your provider.

Follow-up

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Slow, irregular heartbeat

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Lightheadedness

• Confusion

• Weakness

Call 911

Call 911 if you have any of these:

• Chest pain

• Fainting

• Shortness of breath