Is There a Relationship Between Increased [K+] and Lower BP?

Question

I'm Sorry, In Food.

Thanks spreedog133, I Saw an Ad For a Cereal ("Heart Smart") Claiming Lowered BP.

straightener, I was Under the Impression that BP is Only Dependent On [Na+] In the Serum, and the Kidney Are Responsible for Maintaining [Na+].

I'm Sorry, Average BP, Over Time.

Thanks SAMI, but All Pathologies Aside, Save for Some Renal Pathologies.

Answer 1

There can be depending on the cause of the elevated blood potassium level. If there is hyperkalemia (increased K+) due to significant tissue destruction - from dying cells releasing potassium into the blood circulation - for example trauma, burns, surgery, hemolysis (disintegration of red blood cells), massive lysis of tumor cells, and rhabdomyolysis (a condition involving destruction of muscle cells), these serious problems can be associated with hypovolemia, shock, and hypotension.
I see you then added something about food. Foods high in potassium would not lower blood pressure that I know of - if that's what you are asking.
MD - internal medicine

Answer 2

The previous answerers appear to interpret your question to mean: "does excessive K+ (hyperkalemia) cause hypertension?" However, if you are asking "does increasing your intake of K+ from appropriate foods lower blood pressure" the answer is that it can (especially if you are deficient in your K+ intake - which is common on modern, processed food diets).

Here is a direct quote from a leading medical journal: "Potassium deficiency is associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension. Increasing potassium intake lowers blood pressure via an unknown mechanism." (1)

Hope you find this helpful.

Answer 3

After seeing my blood test results for Na and K, that is what my GP also said: if there is increase in Na, K will decrease and vice versa. Increase Na contributes to higher BP and some water retention.K tends to remain stable.

Answer 4

Yeah, I agree wholeheartedly with the previous author, he pretty much nailed it.

Of greater significance is what the etiology of the hyperkalemia is, and furthermore dietary manipulation of Potassium is not widely regarded as good means of controlling HTN.

Hyperkalemia can lead to catastrophic cardiac pathology, so I don't recommend you start eating bananas, HCTZ, Mg++ or such like it's going out of style.

Answer 5

Does BP mean blood pressure?

Answer 6

Hyperkalemia causes myocardial changes primarily and lowered blood pressure is secondary to it.