When I was diagnosed with A F the cardiologist told me to eat foods high in potassium . I followed his advice and have been eating bananas and avocados every day .I have since read that these foods are to be avoided when taking beta blockers which I am .Does anyone know if there is a reliable home testing kit for potassium levels please ? I don't really want to bother my doctor for a blood test
Thank you
Hello, this is really interesting, but extremely difficult to navigate for you are others in your situation. I understood the importance of increasing my potassium, but wasn’t warned against doing so, as I also take beta blockers. Do you know why you were recommended to increase your intake of potassium, were you told about the benefits? Secondly, why is increasing your intake of potassium not recommended when taking beta blockers? Gosh, what a mine field!
Hi Summerlily,
I have found that I need to maintain a reasonably high level of potassium and do this by having banana or dried fruit (sultanas / raisins / apricots) on my breakfast cereal. I am on a beta blocker, but have never been told that there may be an issue. I understand that PPIs can affect absorption of potassium, but I am allergic to them.... probably for that very reason. I also cannot take loop or thiazide diuretics as they strip out my potassium and I become very ill, very quickly!
Potassium is usually measured by way of a blood test. I have never seen a home test kit, but then again I haven't been looking for one. Maybe you should contact your GP for advice.
All the best,
Gerald
Ive not read or been told to avoid bananas and avacados on betablockers, how odd, But to eat lots of different veg and fruit, (Even discovered how to make a raw kale salad which is delicious)
Thank you all for your commentsIt was the cardiologist who told me to eat foods rich in potassium and Dr Google who told me not to!
Better do a bit more reading from reliable sources!
Best wishes to you all
Yes, good luck Summerlily - Last March, I began eating a few small pieces of good quality liquorice from the local health shop, fast forward to October, I was admitted to hospital A&E with racing heart rate that would NOT come down, when in A&E, I was given a cup of Potassium to drink, apparently it was very low. Obviously, since that day, I have never eaten liquorice again as apparently, it can cause this, (I knew hypertension sufferers should take care eating liquorice, but I've never suffered from this). Since that event, I was then diagnosed with Atrial Flutter - it's not happened since, and I'm still taking Rivaroxaban as was advised to do so. Hope I can come off it one day? I had Potassium levels checked again by the GP through blood test. I think you can get a test online, they send you a kit, but maybe quite expensive.
Go and see your GP and ask for a blood test of your serum electrolytes. Your serum potassium should be between 3.5-5.3 mmol /L. The test is usually carried out by a practice nurse.
Hi, I've just discovered the same thing. I was diagnosed just over a year ago with HF and before being discharged from hospital the cardiologist also told me to "eat a banana every day, very good for potassium levels" Last week at my HF telephone appointment I was told I csnt go up to second level of Entresto due to potassium levels at last 2 blood tests. I happened to ask her whether any foods could trigger this and she told me to avoid Bananas, tomatoes and orange juice. I was shocked and told her what Cardiologist told me. I thought I was doing everything right! 🙄😕
It is very confusing. I have a blood test booked for next week.My GP seemed to say that if ones kidneys are working well then potassium shouldn't be an issue, but still not really clear.
Both lack of and too much potassium seem to have the same results on heart health.
I have decided the only sure way is to let a blood test guide what I eat.
Potassium well that’s good to know
INR home-checking kit advice 
Potassium and spironolactone 
What questions to ask about potassium levels
