Supportive Care of CKD
May 6, 2026
Supportive care of CKD Keep track of your kidney data with PKB Key Points Supportive care means not having dialysis Dialysis does not suit everyone, especially frail elderly patients If you ...
Potassium is a powerhouse mineral and electrolyte that is essential for every cell in your body. While sodium primarily manages fluid outside your cells, potassium lives mostly inside your cells.
Its most critical job? Ensuring your heart beats steadily and your muscles contract smoothly.
Because potassium controls the electrical signals in your heart, your body regulates it with extreme precision. Even a small shift outside the normal range can be significant.
A normal blood potassium level is between 3.5 and 5.3 mmol/L.
Note: “Normal” ranges can vary slightly between different laboratories. Always consult the specific reference range listed on your blood test results.
When potassium levels drift, they are categorized into two main conditions. Because potassium is so vital for electrical conductivity, both ends of the spectrum can affect heart rhythms.
| Condition | Level | Definition |
| Hypokalaemia | Below 3.5 mmol/L | Low blood potassium |
| Hyperkalaemia | Above 5.3 mmol/L | High blood potassium (Potentially life-threatening) |
Why do these levels matter?
Potassium is the primary driver of electrical activity in muscle fibers.
High potassium can “short-circuit” the heart’s electrical system, leading to dangerous arrhythmias or sudden cardiac arrest.
Low potassium can cause muscles to become weak or paralysed and makes the heart “irritable,” leading to palpitations.
Hyperkalaemia is often considered more immediately dangerous because it can be “silent” until it causes a heart emergency.
Kidney Disease (both AKI and CKD): This is the most common cause. If the kidneys aren’t filtering properly, potassium builds up in the blood.
Medications: Common blood pressure meds like ACE inhibitors (e.g. Ramipril) or potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. Spironolactone) can cause levels to climb.
Tissue Injury: Severe burns or “crush” injuries release the potassium stored inside damaged cells directly into the bloodstream.
Uncontrolled Diabetes: A lack of insulin can cause potassium to shift out of cells and into the blood.
How Is A High Blood Potassium Level Treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the imbalance and how quickly it developed.
In urgent cases, doctors use Calcium Gluconate to protect the heart, followed by Insulin and Glucose to “shove” potassium back into the cells. Long-term management involves low-potassium diets or “binders” that remove potassium via the gut.
A Note on “Pseudohyperkalaemia”: Sometimes a blood test shows high potassium simply because the blood cells ruptured during the blood draw (haaemolysis). If you feel fine but your result is high, your doctor may simply ask for a repeat test to be sure.
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