Patients with cardiovascular disease need to be alert to "hypokalemia", and reasonable potassium supplementation is crucial!

Recently, the Third Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of Hunan Second People's Hospital received a 56-year-old Mr. Liu, who had long suffered from hypertension and heart failure, and doubled his diuretic medication, which led to symptoms such as mental depression, limb weakness, and palpitations. After detailed examination and diagnosis, Mr. Liu was diagnosed with hypokalemia, and his symptoms were significantly improved after timely potassium supplementation treatment.

According to Director Xing Zuzhong of the Third Department of Cardiovascular Medicine , potassium is an indispensable electrolyte in the human body and plays an important role in maintaining the cardiovascular system and the excitement and contraction of nerves and muscles. The normal value of blood potassium in the human body should be maintained between 3.5-5.5mmol/L, and the blood potassium level of patients with cardiovascular disease should be maintained above 4.0mmol/L to reduce the risk of sudden death .

However, many patients with cardiovascular diseases often ignore the effect of these drugs on blood potassium levels because they need to take diuretics for a long time to control symptoms such as edema and hypertension. While diuretics promote the kidneys to excrete sodium ions in urine, they also lead to excessive excretion of potassium ions, thus causing hypokalemia.

In addition, bad eating habits, such as excessive intake of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods or overeating leading to diarrhea, can also lead to insufficient potassium in the body.

Director Xing Zuzhong pointed out that the role of potassium in the human body cannot be ignored. It can not only reduce the impact of sodium on blood pressure, help reduce the risk of hypertension and maintain cardiovascular health, but also maintain normal blood pressure levels by controlling the normal contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. At the same time, potassium is also an important substance that constitutes nerve electrical conduction, which can maintain normal heart rhythm and myocardial pulsation and improve heart function.

Regarding the question of how to supplement potassium, Director Xing Zuzhong said that there are two main ways in clinical practice: intravenous injection of potassium chloride and oral potassium preparations. In the process of potassium supplementation, it is necessary to pay attention to the speed not being too fast, the concentration not being too high, and closely monitor the changes in blood potassium levels . Regarding the oral method of potassium chloride injection, Director Xing gave several suggestions for combination, such as mixing it with warm water, honey or juice to improve the taste.

Finally, Director Xing Zuzhong reminded the majority of patients with cardiovascular diseases that when using diuretics, they must do so under the guidance of a doctor and must not change the dosage on their own.

If you experience symptoms such as lack of energy and weakness in your limbs, you should seek medical attention in a timely manner and have your blood drawn for electrolyte tests to detect and replenish potassium ions in a timely manner. At the same time, during the potassium supplementation process, you should closely monitor changes in blood potassium levels to ensure that blood potassium levels remain within the normal range to protect heart health.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Li Si, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hunan Second People's Hospital

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(Edited by Wx)