What causes recurring high potassium?
High potassium (hyperkalemia) can recur over time due to a number of reasons.1
Common conditions linked with recurring high potassium are listed below.
Heart failure (HF)
This means that the heart cannot pump blood around the body correctly.2 It may make it harder for the kidneys to work efficiently, so the body finds it more challenging to control your potassium level in the way it normally would.3
Medications that are used to treat your HF can further increase the risk of developing high potassium.1
Find out more on our Long-term impact page.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
A long-term condition where the kidneys are unable to function as well as they should. Just like in heart failure, reductions in kidney function due to chronic kidney disease can make it more difficult for the body to deal with potassium effectively.4
Medications that are used to treat your CKD can further increase the risk of developing high potassium.1
Find out more on our Long-term impact page.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes the levels of sugar in the blood to become too high. Many diabetics have insulin deficiency and hypertonicity (muscle tightness), which reduces the amount of potassium being moved into cells for storage. This results in high potassium levels circulating in the blood.8 Importantly, diabetes is one of the leading causes of CKD.7
Ageing
Being 65 or older can increase the risk of high potassium as certain natural processes within your body can become less effective over time.8
If you are affected by any of these conditions, it is important to work with your doctor to keep track of your potassium level and reduce your risk of high potassium.
Find out how to monitor your
potassium level
Some treatments can also lead to high potassium including:9-12
Salt substitutes
Some blood pressure treatments (e.g. lisinopril, benazepril, captopril, enalapril)
Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone, amiloride)
Supplements
Some antibiotics (e.g. pentamidine, trimethoprim)
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen)
Some immunosuppressants (e.g. tacrolimus, cyclosporine)
Herbal remedies
Salt substitutes
Some blood pressure treatments (e.g. lisinopril, benazepril, captopril, enalapril)
Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone, amiloride)
Supplements
Some antibiotics (e.g. pentamidine, trimethoprim)
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen)
Some immunosuppressants (e.g. tacrolimus, cyclosporine)
Herbal remedies
It is important that you do not stop taking your treatments as this may seriously
affect your health. You should also check with your doctor before taking any
over-the-counter medications.
Tell your doctor about all the treatments you
are taking, so they can consider how best to
manage your health
References
1. Dunn JD, et al. Am J Manag Care 2015;21:S307–15. 2. NHS. Heart Failure. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-failure/ Date accessed: November 2021. 3. Viswanathan G, et al. Int J Nephrol 2011;11:1–10. 4. Kovesdy CP, Nat Rev Nephrol 2014; 10(11):53─62. 5. NHS. Diabetes. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/ Date accessed: November 2021. 6. Kovesdy CP, Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2017;18(10):41─47. 7. Kinaan M et al. J Ren Hepat Disord 2017;1(2):10─24. 8. Turgut F, et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2010;5(7):1300─39. 9. Turgutalp K, et al. Ren Fail 2016;38(9):1405–12. 10. Batra V, et al. Cureus 2016;8(11):e859. 11. Hunter RW, et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2019;34: iii2–iii11. 12. Lee CH, et al. Electrolyte & Blood Pressure 2007;5:126–130.