10 Kidney Failure Symptoms
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Symptom #5: Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia or high serum potassium occurs when the serum potassium levels increase above 5.5 mmol/l. It can lead to muscle pain, numbness, weakness, palpitations, and an abnormal heart rate. In severe cases, it can also lead to cardiac arrest and death.
Some causes of hyperkalemia are rhabdomyolysis, hypoaldosteronism, and kidney failure. It can also occur due to medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and spironolactone. In kidney failure, hyperkalemia occurs when the diseased kidneys are unable to function properly, resulting in a buildup of potassium.
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