Potassium is a micronutrient that constitutes about 5% of the total minerals in the body. It is involved in the regulation of cellular volume and neuromuscular activity. Its blood level (potassium) can be measured through a blood test.
The concentration of potassium in the blood can increase (hyperkalemia) which is a high level of potassium, or it can fall below normal levels (hypokalemia). In some diseases, these changes can eventually result in cardiac disturbances. Kidney failure and adrenal gland diseases are among the possible causes of hyperkalemia.
In some cases, during cancer treatment, tumor cells can be destroyed very rapidly, suddenly increasing the amount of nutrients in the blood, including potassium. This situation is then called hyperkalemia.
