Hyperkalemia Center - Vista, CAVista 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 Vista * Quality Care Medical Center  Vista Community Clinic  Scripps Coastal Medical Group  Sharp Mission Park  Scripps Coastal Medical Group  Scripps Coastal Medical Group  Wendy A Shumate MD  Irving Bloom MD  Cassidy Internal Medical Group  Cassidy Internal Medical Group  Hai M Le MD  Sharp Mission Park Medical Clinic  Scripps  Rashad Ansari MD  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  Ryan W Stewart MD  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  Kaveh Farhoomand MD  Tri-City Medical Center  Julie R Aspiras MD  Perrin Curran MD  Andres Zimmerman MD  Travelers Immunization Center  Access Medical Center  Access Medical Center  North County Health Services  North County Health Services  North County Health Services  Medicine in Motion  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  Dr Poses and Dr Zizzo  Paolo Zizzo DO Inc  Primary Care Carlsbad  Primary Care Carlsbad  Primary Care Carlsbad  Primary Care Carlsbad  Primary Care Carlsbad  Primary Care Carlsbad  Primary Care Carlsbad  Cassidy Medical Group  North County Health Services  North County Health Services  Vista Community Clinic  William J Ackerman MD  Sharp Mission Park Family Practice  Bruce J Sachs MD  Andre R Sanschagrin MD  Warren Pleskow MD  North Coast Internal Medicine  Jorge Carrera MD  Elizabeth Hospice  Keven Tagdiri MD  Robert A Reiss MD  Patricia M Chu MD  Rancho Sierra Medical Group  W Blaine Phillips MD  Robert L Stephenson MD  Nayana M Trivedi MD  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Alberto Chavira MD  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Neighborhood Healthcare  Escondido Internal Medicine  Neighborhood Healthcare  Temecula Valley Digestive Disease Consultants AMC  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Escondido Internal Medicine  Escondido Internal Medicine  Peter Strutz MD  Centro Medico De Valle  G Douglas Moir MD Inc  Charles E Graham MD  George Groth IV MD  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  Robert S Yuhas MD  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Carmel Del Mar  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Carmel Del Mar  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Carmel Del Mar  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties Vista, CaliforniaUpcoming 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 Vista
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