Raising Potassium Levels Protects Heart Patients
The study focused on patients with implanted ICDs. Patients started the trial with normal and low baseline levels of potassium at 4.3 mmol/L or lower.
The patients then raised their potassium levels either through diet, supplementation, or medication. Raising and maintaining a high-normal potassium level of 4 to 5 mmol/L had a 24 percent reduction in risk of serious heart rhythm problems. Potassium is needed to create heartbeats, therefore low potassium levels can lead to irregular heartbeats.
A major outcome was that there were fewer emergency interventions from implanted defibrillators—15.3 percent in the higher-than-normal potassium group versus 20.3 percent in the control group.
Hospitalizations for arrhythmias and heart failure were also less common among those with higher potassium levels.
Lam said that potassium levels have a “U-shape relationship” with health outcomes, meaning that both high and low levels can lead to adverse events.
“Thus, it is important that patients know their potassium levels before simply applying these results to themselves.
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/raising-potassium-levels-protects-heart-patients
