Discharge Instructions for Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia means you have a high level of potassium in your blood. Learn how to care for hyperkalemia at home, including what diet changes to make.

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You have been diagnosed with hyperkalemia. This means you have a high level of potassium in your blood. Potassium is important to the function of the nerve and muscle cells. This includes the cells of the heart. But a high level of potassium in the blood causes serious problems. These include abnormal heart rhythms and even a heart attack.

Diet changes

Eat less of these potassium-rich foods:

  • Bananas

  • Apricots, fresh or dried

  • Prunes, dates, and raisins

  • Nectarines

  • Kiwifruit

  • Oranges and orange juice

  • Grapefruit juice

  • Tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato juice

  • Spinach

  • Green, leafy vegetables, including salad greens, kale, broccoli, chard, and collards

  • Melons of all kinds

  • Peas

  • Beans

  • Potatoes

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Avocados and guacamole

  • Vegetable juice (homemade or store-bought) and vegetable juice cocktail

  • Fruit juices

  • Nuts, including pistachios, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, or mixed nuts

  • "Lite" or reduced-sodium salt, or salt substitutes

Other home care

  • Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Also tell them about herbal or dietary supplements you are taking. Certain medicines and supplements can increase potassium levels.

  • Take all medicines exactly as directed.

  • Have your potassium levels checked regularly.

  • Keep all follow-up appointments. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition closely.

  • Learn to take your own pulse. If your pulse is less than 60 beats per minute, greater than 100 beats per minute, or irregular, call your doctor.

Follow-up

Follow up with your doctor as advised.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your doctor right away if you have:

  • A slow, irregular heartbeat.

  • Fatigue.

  • Dizziness.

  • Lightheadedness.

  • Confusion.

  • Weakness.

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

  • Chest pain.

  • Fainting.

  • Shortness of breath.