Potassium

[Stacey]

My cardiologist's office just called with some of the results from my blood work yesterday and said that my potassium was high and they want to recheck it on Monday when I go in for my Stress/echo..........should I be concerned?:confused:

[JAMESFETT]

Stacy, you probably don't need to be concerned unless you are on a potassium-sparing medication, such as spironlactone (aldactone), which could give high potassium. One can also see high potassium in kidney failure, but you surely don't have that, do you? Most commonly, the cause is a result of the blood draw, with a few red blood cells broken up and releasing potassium, giving a false high level. You need to ask about it with your doctor, but I would not be alarmed.

James