Hyperkalemia Center - Hartford, CTHartford Internist Doctors for HyperkalemiaType of Physician: Internist What is a Internist? A certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners provide long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common illnesses and complex problems for adolescents, adults, and the elderly. General internists are trained in primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and treatment of problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs. All internists are trained in the subspecialty areas of internal medicine including emergency internal medicine and critical care. Internists consult with surgeons when surgical management is indicated, and often act as consultants to other specialists. Specialty: Internal Medicine Common Name: Internist Doctors in Hartford * Paul H Dworkin MD  Samuel K Anyatonwu MD  Connecticut Multispecialty Group Pulmonary Disease& Internal Medicine  CT Multispecialty Group Nephrology Dept  Connecticut GI PC  Jose DaCosta MD  CT Multispecialty Group Nephrology Dept  Hartford Hospital Geriatric Medicine Program  Greater Hartford Endocrinology Inc  CT Multispecialty Group Nephrology Dept  Connecticut GI PC  Mark W Izard MD  Hartford Hospital Geriatric Medicine Program  Connecticut Multispecialty Group Pulmonary Disease& Internal Medicine  CT Multispecialty Group Nephrology Dept  Patrick H McDermott MD  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut Multispecialty Group Pulmonary Disease& Internal Medicine  CT Multispecialty Group Nephrology Dept  Hartford Hospital Emergency Medicine & Trauma  CT Multispecialty Group Nephrology Dept  Connecticut Multispecialty Group Pulmonary Disease& Internal Medicine  Connecticut Multispecialty Group Pulmonary Disease& Internal Medicine  Connecticut Multispecialty Group Pulmonary Disease& Internal Medicine  Hartford Hospital Infectious Diseases Department  Capitol Chest Physicians  William B Laakso MD  Ct Multispecialty Group Infectious Disease  Leslie B Lindenberg MD  Jonathan H Tress MD  Hartford Medical Group  Hartford Hospital Internal Medicine  Hartford Hospital Internal Medicine  Hartford Hospital Internal Medicine  Hartford Hospital Internal Medicine  Hartford Hospital Internal Medicine  Hartford Hospital Internal Medicine  Hartford Hospital Internal Medicine  Community Health Services  Community Health Services  Community Health Services  Community Health Services  UConn Health Partners East Hartford  UConn Health Partners East Hartford  Anil K Vithala MD  Santo Buccheri MD  Margaret Woznica MD & Zbigniew Woznica MD  Margaret Woznica MD & Zbigniew Woznica MD  Saint Francis Hospital Department of Medicine  Barrak & Wenceslao MDs  Arrhythmia Consultants of Connecticut LLC  Arrhythmia Consultants of Connecticut LLC  Woodland Physician Associates Inc  M Nathan Lassman MD  Medical Outpatient Services  St Francis Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center  Robert M Frost MD  Saint Francis Hospital Department of Medicine  Medical Outpatient Services  Rolf Knoll MD  M Nathan Lassman MD  Arrhythmia Consultants of Connecticut LLC  Woodland Physician Associates  Woodland Physician Associates Inc  Medical Outpatient Services  Prime Healthcare PC - Pulmonology/Internal Medicine  Woodland Physician Associates  Dr.Mark Schaner D.O Internal Medicine  H Robert Silverstein MD  Saint Francis Hospital Department of Medicine  Woodland Physician Associates  St Francis Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center  Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates  Woodland Physician Associates Inc  Saint Francis Hospital Department of Medicine  Prime Healthcare PC - Pulmonology/Internal Medicine  Prime Healthcare PC - Pulmonology/Internal Medicine  Barrak & Wenceslao MDs  Prohealth Physicians  Access Healthcare PC  William Geary MD  Access Healthcare PC  Collins Medical Associates  Prime HealthCare  Access Healthcare PC  Collins Medical Associates  Prohealth Physicians  East Hartford Community Healthcare  Prime HealthCare Inc  Prime HealthCare Inc  Gregory Isenberg MD  Burgdorf Primary Care Ctr  Burgdorf Primary Care Ctr  Burgdorf Primary Care Ctr  Prime Healthcare PC  Prime Healthcare PC  Prime Healthcare PC  Burgdorf Primary Care Ctr  Ashanti Medical Associates LLC  Rehabilitation Medicine Associates Hartford, ConnecticutUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)Read the Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) article » What is hyperkalemia?Hyperkalemia is common; it is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. Fortunately, most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%. Technically, hyperkalemia means an abnormally elevated level of potassium in the blood. The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L reflect mild hyperkalemia. Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L are severe hyperkalemia.
How does hyperkalemia affect the body?Potassium is critical for the normal functioning of the muscles, heart, and nerves. It plays an important role in controlling activity of smooth muscle (such as the muscle found in the digestive tract) and skeletal muscle (muscles of the extremities and torso), as well as the muscles of the heart. It is also important for normal transmission of electrical signals throughout the nervous system within the body. Normal blood levels of potassium are critical for maintaining normal heart electrical rhythm. Both low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia) and high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can lead to abnormal heart rhythms. The most important clinical effect of hyperkalemia is related to electrical rhythm of the heart. While mild hyperkalemia probably has a limited effect on the heart, moderate hyperkalemia can produce EKG changes (EKG is an electrical reading of the heart muscles), and severe hyperkalemia can caus... Recommended Reading Related to Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)What are electrolytes?Chemically, electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. Electrolytes are present in the human body, and the balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs. Common electrolytes that are measured by doctors with blood testing include sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The functions and normal range values for these electrolytes are described below.
SodiumSodium is the major positive ion (cation) in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride, the resulting substance is table salt. Excess sodium (such as that obtained from dietary sources) is excreted in the urine. Sodium regulates the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body funct... Other Related Hyperkalemia ArticlesEmergency Contact for Hartford
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