Hyperkalemia Center - Stamford, CTStamford 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 Stamford * The Heart Physicians PC  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  Shoreline Medical LLP  Optimus Health Care  Shoreline Medical LLP  Shoreline Medical LLP  Shoreline Medical LLP  Shoreline Medical LLP  Shoreline Medical LLP  Shoreline Medical LLP  Stamford Primary Care  Alfonse M Campo MD  Tulin Koparan MD  Medical Associates of Stamford PC  Medical Associates of Stamford PC  David M Radin MD  Stamford Primary Care  Medical Associates of Stamford PC  Medical Associates of Stamford PC  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  Maria Maldonado MD  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  The Stamford Hospital Hospitalist  J Robert Shapiro MD  Anna Shender DO  Michael Fusco MD & Santi Neuberger MD  Brian B Hennessy MD  Anthony Katsigiannis MD  Michael Fusco MD & Santi Neuberger MD  Stamford Nephrology  Henry Sobo MD  Vipulkumar Bhalodiya MD PC  PrimeCare Medical LLP  PrimeCare Medical LLP  Pincus Rubin Siefert & Warkol MD  Pincus Rubin Siefert & Warkol MD  Pincus Rubin Siefert & Warkol MD  Marietta S Vergara MD  Bruce R Baron MD  Neil N Boside MD  Immediate Medical Care  Jeffrey H Weinberger MD  Drs Brunetti, Steele & Walsh  Drs Brunetti, Steele & Walsh  Drs Brunetti, Steele & Walsh  Drs Brunetti, Steele & Walsh  William J Giesen MD  Robert A Lindberg MD LLC  Internal Medicine Associates Darien  Internal Medicine Associates Darien  Internal Medicine Associates Darien  Internal Medicine Associates Darien  Internal Medicine Associates Darien  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Jennifer G Jose MD  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Christopher Edelmann MD  Stephen G Jones MD  Donna Phanumas MD  Robert M Stark MD  Greenwich Hospital Internal Medicine  Greenwich Hospital  Signature Concierge Physicians, LLC  True Care Medical  Sunil Rana MD  Raymond T Sekiguchi MD  Odysseas Kostas MD  Ellen N Wolfson MD  Soundview Medical Associates  Soundview Medical Associates  Integrative Oncology LLC  Greenwich Medical Group  Joel M Blumberg MD  Greenwich Medical Group  Greenwich Medical Group  New Canaan Medical Group Inc Stamford, ConnecticutUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Stamford
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