Potassium supplement, good or bad?

[Botolph]

Hi all

I’ve recently been prescribed Potassium by a medical doctor and I’m not sure if it will be good for my Paroxymal A.Fib as I’ve seen too much can speed up the heart and how I gauge too much when I enjoy bananas etc that contain it.

[10gingercats]

Your GP should explain why you need a potassium supplement.Have you recently had a blood test that shows you have low potassiium levels and is the low level consistent over a few weeks?

[Botolph in reply to 10gingercats]

It was a doctor on the Acute Medical Ward who prescribed it where I’d been admitted over night for observation when I had an AFib episode, aggravated by anxiety. I was tested for all sorts including a chest X-ray and all were fine. They decided to keep me in and the episode ended at 3.00am. He also took me off Indapamide which I’ve taken for a few years for high blood pressure.

[pusillanimous in reply to Botolph]

I know a number of BP meds can raise potassium levels (ACE inhibitors) especially if your kidneys are not 100%, I have an unnatural fear of hyperkalemia and am wary of potassium supplements as I eat plenty of potassium rich foods, This is just me, I am not a doctor, so my opinion has no validity, it makes me happy to be this way and my electrolytes test normal.

[Botolph in reply to pusillanimous]

Thanks for replying. I’m now aware my potassium levels are low having asked for my reading even though I eat potassium rich foods most days. But as I’ve now learnt here, the indapamide can reduce it. I find everyone who replies very helpful and I’m enormously grateful .

[meadfoot]

Personally Iwould want input from my cardiac medic. This once happened to me in an a and e the medics there stopped one of my meds. I had an awful time thereafter. My cardiologist went mad when he found out and said never let anyone change or increase your heart meds or treatment, tell them to ring me and I will advise.

I think its best to check with the cardiology team. Best wishes.

[Botolph in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you for this advice. I suppose the problem is I don’t know if he has rung the cardiologist. Perhaps I should find out. I know I’m only to take the potassium tablet for three days and then I’m booked in for another blood test. The medical doctor will be there and I’ll ask him if he’s spoken with my cardiologist.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Botolph]

It sounds like they tested your blood and found that your Potassium level was too low or Sodium level too high and they believe that could have been part of the cause of the episode.It would explain why they want you to take a short term Potassium supplement in the hope that after the second blood test your salt balance will be back to normal and reduce the chance it could cause another Afib event.

That would also be the likely cause for stopping Indapamide at the moment too.

Although when it comes to your blood pressure medication you will need to ask more questions , either to the GP or the doctor dealing with your current treatment.

Was low potassium the reason that Indapamide was stopped?

Do they only want to stop it temporarily while sorting out your potassium, or do they want you to stay off it permanently?

If they want to stop it permanently are they going to prescribe you a new medication to control your BP and heart rate , and what will that be?

Is there any advice they can give you about adjusting your diet to make sure you get a safe amount of potassium in the future so that this doesn't happen again?

Write you questions down in a note book and tick each question off as you go , writing down points if you need to.

This can be really helpful because we all get nervous at appointments and usually forget everything we want to ask if it isn't written down to remind us .

Take care and I hope you are feeling better , Bee

[Botolph in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hi Bee

Thank you for all your useful suggestions, some of which I have made a note of when I see the medical doctor tomorrow and they take some blood to check. Having asked a medic I saw yesterday about my pacemaker(which they wanted me to have checked- and it’s OK) it seems I’ve gone below the recommended reading just two months in the year. It read 3.2 when they are looking at a reading required of 3.6 - 5.3. Otherwise it’s been fine. Very grateful for your thorough reply.

[Botolph in reply to Botolph]

Having thought about these readings again I’ve started to wonder how they know my potassium levels were low in November and December when I only have a blood test once a year in January??? I don’t think a pacemaker gives those readings . . Or does it?

[Rambler398]

Indapamide is used to treat hypertension and sometimes heart failure. Used on it’s own, over an extended period, it can cause a low serum potassium level.

[Botolph]

well Rambler, the picture seems to be getting more complicated. I’m taking Bisoprolol, Apixaban and Losartan, as well as the Indapamide. I sometimes wonder if my blood pressure has been lowered too much now although my GP hasn’t said anything. Maybe leaving out the Indapamide may see a change. Thanks for your information.

[Sleepyzz]

I was prescribed 3days potassium last year when I was kept in hospital for a day after going to A&E.in very high afib. They explained that the blood tests had showed low potassium and that this could affect my afib which is paroxysmal. When I was discharged gp was asked to do a follow up blood test to check levels and they were ok

[Botolph in reply to Sleepyzz]

Yes, this sounds familiar and I hope mine will be OK too. Thank you for replying.

[NLGA]

I am taking it

I am definitely having less AF attacks took a couple weeks to notice but it’s definitely working for me along with magnesium and nattokinase

[Botolph in reply to NLGA]

That sounds encouraging. How many attacks were you having beforehand?

[NLGA in reply to Botolph]

I would say on my last 7 day monitor I was 5/6 times min in AF my average Pulse was 103 over one 48 hour period

I got 132 in bed at one stage

[Ppiman]

I tend to trust the doctor, and if I am worried, ask the doctor. Potassium would usually only be given if a blood test showed it was needed, but, again, only the doctor will know as these things are so individual.

Steve

[Botolph in reply to Ppiman]

Steve, I think it was stopping the Indapamide that made me wonder, but I think the replies to my query have be answered by our friends here. And thank you for yours.

[Dollcollector]

If l get low in potassium due to taking bumetanide l end up in hospital with very bad afib attacks . I am given potassium in hospital and sent home with a few days supply. It would only be harmful if you took it long term because too much is as bad as too little. Despite eating lots of potassium rich foods l was losing too much with the diuretic. I am now on a potassium sparing diuretic ( spironolactone) as well , so hopefully that will keep my electrolytes balanced. It shows the importance of regular blood tests, which we aren't getting since covid.

[Botolph in reply to Dollcollector]

I find it interesting that so many of the replies have said they were given potassium when they were in hospital. I’m surprised that it has to be when taken into hospital instead of being tested fairly regularly by our GPs when they must be aware that we’re on medication that can reduce potassium. I shall definitely be making a point of asking next time I’m blood tested in my local surgery. Thank you.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Botolph]

A lot of it has to do with timings. You should be having blood tests regularly at the GP including liver and kidney function tests done, but it doesn't necessarily mean that your potassium would have been abnormal at the time of the tests.It's part of the reason I get a bit concerned when people recommend having salt or something with sodium as a cure on its own. If it's the potassium that's low during your AF taking the sodium will make the attack worse. That's why it's always important to get help and check this first before trying out a quick cure.

Sodium might be more commonly required but you cannot be sure unless you check.

So many of us may be on low potassium diets not just low sodium ones or take medications that deplete out potassium and require more at times.

It would also be a good idea to check if they tested your Magnesium level when you go for your blood tests. If they haven't request it. Sometimes this can be low at the same time.

I wouldn't try out any supplements that aren't suggested after your blood tests , especially in your case at the moment , you are on a lot of medication and you need to get things under control before considering any alternative supplements that may make your symptoms worse.

[Botolph in reply to Blearyeyed]

Yes, they did check my magnesium level in the A & E department and gave me a magnesium drip while I was waiting to be admitted on the ward. And I’ve no intention of trying any more supplements without rigorous questioning of why and who says. But thanks for reminding me that questioning everything is in my interests. I do feel very lucky to be on this site with everybody helping me decide what to do and say tomorrow when I see the ward doctor.

[Dollcollector]

Regular blood tests are one of the many services that we don't receive any more. Don't they realise that apart from more suffering for the patient when they become ill; it will save money in the long run by preventing them being admitted to hospital. Prevention is better than cure. All the best.

[Hershman]

Your situation seems similar to how mine was in 2022 - that year I had 4 episodes of AF-caught one on my Kardia and was diagnosed with AF by EP I went to privately and put on Edoxoban with PIP flec. In November of 2022 completely separately with my NHS blood tests I was shown to have low potassium - 3.2 . My GP had me tested again and it was the same and she stopped my Indapamide I had taken for BP over many years. One month later my potassium levels were up to 4.5 and have stayed there ever since. I now take Losartan 25mg for BP along with bisoprolol 1.5 (which I have taken for years for BP).

[Botolph]

Yes, there are similarities, especially the reading of 3.2 and stopping the Indapamide, although the Losartan you take is still low (mine is 100mg) and the Bisoprolol is 2.5 in the morning and 2.5 at night. I’ve yet to find out how someone decides what dose is the best. Fingers crossed my potassium levels are up after taking tablets for three days. Thanks for your response.

[BJShaf]

I am a nurse and I also have now permanent AF. Low K can put you into Atrial F. If your doctor is wanting you to take it for sure do it. They will or should check labs on you to make sure it is staying in normal range. I also take magnesium to balance all. I would think your seeing a cardiologist correct? If in AF you should be seeing an EP cardio.

[Botolph in reply to BJShaf]

Thanks for your reply. I do see a cardiologist and have a follow up appointment with an EP in July. My initial appointment with him was over the phone as I had Covid at the time so he was unable to do any tests.