Are You O-K+?
K+ is the medical abbreviation for potassium. AAKP wants to help individuals affected by chronic kidney disease understand the importance of knowing your potassium level and how high potassium (known as hyperkalemia) can cause serious health issues.

What is potassium?
Potassium is a naturally occurring mineral found in the foods we eat that helps your body function. Potassium helps your heart beat regularly and your muscles work properly.

What is high potassium?
High potassium, also known as hyperkalemia, is a condition when the amount of potassium in your blood is higher than it should be. High potassium is generally considered to be any level above 5.0 mEq/L (milliequivalents per liter).

How do I know if I have high potassium?
Your doctor can measure your potassium level with a simple blood test.

What caused me to have high potassium?
High potassium can develop for a number of reasons. One of the most common causes of high potassium (hyperkalemia) is chronic kidney disease (CKD). Excess potassium is normally removed by the kidneys. If your kidneys are not working properly, potassium can rise to dangerous levels.

What are the symptoms for high potassium?
Symptoms of high potassium (hyperkalemia) vary from mild to barely noticeable. High potassium is often discovered during routine blood work. However, high potassium can cause serious health risks so it’s important to always check with your physician if you are not feeling well or have any of the possible signs of hyperkalemia (especially if you have any of the risk factors for developing hyperkalemia such as CKD).

If I develop high potassium, will it go away?
High potassium can be acute (lasting up to a few days) or chronic (lasting a long time). Acute high potassium may go away with short-term treatment. Chronic high potassium requires continual treatment and monitoring by a physician.

What can I do to treat or manage my high potassium?
High potassium can be managed with diet changes, prescription medication or a combination of the two. Your physician will determine the best course of treatment for you.

Making Sense of the Food Nutrition Label
The Nutrition Facts Label gives important information to all consumers. On a special diet, it can help you identify certain nutrients found in your food and how much of that nutrient it contains per serving. The following hints can help you learn how to label read.

HELPFUL RESOURCES!
Need help cooking low-potassium and kidney-friendly meals? Check out the AAKP Delicious! recipe series! All recipes are specially created for AAKP and include delicious, easy to prepare meals. Each recipe card includes a full nutrient analysis diabetic exchange and indication on what type of patient the recipe is best suited for prepared as-is. Recipe cards also feature helpful health information! Order today at the AAKP Store!

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Find a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist online referral service allows you to search a national database of Academy members for the exclusive purpose of finding qualified registered dietitian nutritionists or food and nutrition practitioner who is right for you! Visit www.eatright.org/find-an-expert to get started!