Potassium

Potassium (K+) is an important electrolyte required for heart function. Too little potassium can be as bad as too much potassium. Your doctors and health care providers will measure your potassium levels with routine blood tests.

What affects your potassium level?

• Salt substitutes contain a lot of potassium.
• Medicines – Some diuretics (water pills) cause the kidneys to get rid of potassium. You may be asked to take potassium tablets to make up for these losses. Other diuretics and medicines make the kidneys hold on to potassium. You may be asked to decrease the amount of potassium you are taking or decrease some foods that are high in potassium.
• Kidney function – The kidneys often have to work harder in patients with heart failure. Kidney function is measured routinely with blood tests.

High-potassium foods

Foods containing a high amount of potassium (over 10 milliequivalents or 390 milligrams) include:

Magnesium

Another important mineral that is key for maintaining the body’s function is magnesium. Diuretics (water pills) can cause you to lose magnesium. Foods rich in magnesium should be a regular part of your diet, especially if you are on diuretics.

As with potassium, your doctor will tell you if you need to be concerned with the amount of magnesium in your diet.

Good magnesium sources include:

Beans
Nuts
Poultry
Fish
Grains
Citrus Fruits
Green vetegables

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Rapid City Regional Hospital
Cardiac Services Department
353 Fairmont Blvd.
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone:(605) 719-8045
Fax:(605) 719-4354