Potassium Pills and PVC's - Heart Disorders Message Board

Diane720 · 01-16-2007, 03:06 PM

Hi everyone....I read on another message board that sometimes PVC's can be caused by low potassium levels. Are any of you familiar with this? I just took my first potassium pill (10MEQ), and was also wondering what kind of side affects I might expect. I absolutely hate taking pills, and sometimes think I imagine the side affects.

Thanks
Diane

Timber · 01-16-2007, 03:12 PM

Yes low potassium can cause many arrhythmias, but please have bloodwork done to check to see if you actually have low potassium or not, because high potassium is extremely dangerous and you don't want to take supplements if you don't need them. Other minerals like magnesium are much safer to supplement with.

Diane720 · 01-16-2007, 03:58 PM

Thanks for response. I did have bloodwork done....and doc prescribed the Potassuim for me...because it was low. It seems like 10MEQ is pretty low anyway. Do you know of side affects??

Diane

started04 · 01-16-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diane720

Thanks for response. I did have bloodwork done....and doc prescribed the Potassuim for me...because it was low. It seems like 10MEQ is pretty low anyway. Do you know of side affects??

Diane

Hi Diane,

Symptoms of low potassium are fatigue, confusion, muscle weakness and cramps. If the deficiency is serious, abnormal heart rhythm.

Your number doesn't appear to be correct. Normal or expected value is 3.6-5.0 MeQ/L.

Lenin · 01-17-2007, 07:51 AM

Diane,

That dosage of potassium chloride (10Meq.) is about 400 mg. Since the RDA of potassium is about 3500 mg. there is really almost no chance of any untoward side effects.

Taken with food the supplement is easier on the stomach.

IF you were running low serum potassium levels you might find that you'll be switched to the 20 Meq horse pills (800 mg.)...their worst side effect is getting stuck in the gullet or trachea...I had a tough scary time once til it dissolved. A LOT of water helps.

Anybody on a diuretic has a reasonably good reason to be on one of these supplements.