when you have
Follow your treatment plan
Know when your symptoms are an emergency
Keep all
follow-up appointments and lab
testing
Follow
your home hyperkalemia care plan
Be mindful of your mental health
Find support
Follow your treatment plan
Take your medications as prescribed. To get the most out
of diuretics, potassium binders, and other hyperkalemia medications, it’s important to take them exactly as directed, without skipping doses.
Talk with your doctor if you're having problems
accessing your medications.
If your doctor asks you to stop taking other medications,
it’s important to follow these instructions carefully. Certain medications may increase potassium levels, such as:
certain immunosuppressants
certain antibiotics
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
ACE inhibitors
Tell your doctor about other products you’re taking.
While over-the-counter medications, supplements,
and herbs may seem harmless, these may interfere with
your hyperkalemia treatment plan and possibly even increase your potassium levels.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any of
these types of products. They can tell you whether any
of them interact with your medications.
At first, mild forms of high potassium may cause no symptoms but then may cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in some people.
Possible symptoms of more severe or progressive hyperkalemia include:
heart palpitations
chest pain
nausea
shortness of breath
Seek emergency medical help right away if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
Know when your symptoms are an emergency
As you go through your treatment plan, you may need to see your doctor for follow-up visits as well as blood work to make sure your medications are working as they should.
Keep in mind that mild hyperkalemia may be asymptomatic (display no symptoms), making regular lab testing even more critical in detecting potential potassium changes.
Keep all follow-up
appointments and lab testing
Eat low-potassium foods:
Your doctor may recommend a low-potassium diet to complement the medications you’re taking to reduce hyperkalemia. While many fruits, vegetables, and beans/legumes are rich in potassium, you still have many low-potassium options to choose from, including apples, carrots, meat, rice, and more.
Exercise, but with caution:
Exercise benefits your overall health and may also help reduce stress. Talk with your doctor before getting started. They may recommend walking and other moderate
activities and have you gradually work your way up to
more vigorous ones.
Monitor your heart health:
Heart problems are among some of the most concerning high potassium complications. While your healthcare professional will check for cardiac arrhythmias, you may
also ask them about home monitors you can use to
check for changes between visits.
Follow your home
hyperkalemia care plan
Carve time out for relaxation each day. Increased mental stress can put more physical stress on the kidneys and
even raise your heart rate and blood pressure.
Commit to a time each day to engage in relaxing activities
to help you manage this stress. Some ideas include
breathing exercises, taking a bath, or reading a book.
If you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression
related to struggles with hyperkalemia, reach out to
a mental health professional for support. A social
worker can also help you find affordable mental health services in your area.
Be mindful of your
mental health
Join a local kidney support group:
A local support group can offer a chance to connect with others in your area who may be going through their own kidney health journeys, such as hyperkalemia. Aside from shared experiences, you may also learn tips from others
who manage their own high potassium.
Check out this list from the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) of a state-by-state list of support groups.
Consider a virtual support group:
A virtual support group offers the advantage of connecting you with others wherever you are, especially if you’re
not able to attend meetings in person.
Check out the current list of Virtual Renal Support Groups from the AAKP that meet via Zoom as a starting point.
Stay social online:
Actively connecting with others living with kidney
disease is perhaps easier than ever thanks to social media.
Not only can you follow the AAKP’s Facebook page,
but there are other groups to consider, such as the
All Kidney Patient Support Group and the
Chronic Kidney Disease Support Group.
Find support
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self care tips
high potassium
