What are some of the signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?
Hypokalemia may be asymptomatic until the potassium level is below 3.0 mEq/L. Patients may present with muscle weakness, cramps, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria. Neuromuscular weakness can also manifest as gastric dilatation, adynamic ileus, and respiratory muscle weakness leading to respiratory failure. Hypokalemia may present as cardiac arrhythmias including premature atrial and ventricular beats, sinus bradycardia, atrial and junctional tachycardia, atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, and fibrillation. Hypokalemia can increase blood pressure by 5 to 10 mm Hg. Chronic hypokalemia can result in kidney tubulointerstitial fibrosis, kidney cyst formation, metabolic alkalosis, CKD, and impaired kidney concentrating ability causing polyuria.
