Heart Drugs Cause Dangerous Build Up Of Potassium

A new American study has found that heart drugs, such as angiotensin-converting-enzyme or ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers, can increase potassium levels in approximately 10% of patients. Dr. Biff Palmer, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, said "Because a third to half of patients with congestive heart failure have kidney complications, a large proportion of patients being treated with ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers are at increased risk for hyperkalemia (high potassium).”

If your potassium levels are raised your heart’s normal rhythm can be disrupted, said Dr. Palmer.

Dr. Palmer added "The patient’s medication profile should be reviewed and drugs discontinued that impair excretion of potassium in the kidney, such as over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Patients should be asked about the use of herbal remedies, as herbs can be a hidden source of potassium."

Dr. Palmer suggested that patients who are at risk should consider being careful with certain foods which are high in potassium such as: Bananas, Cantelope, Watermelon, Baked Potatoes, Beef, Liver, Lima Beans and Orange Juice. New England Journal of Medicine, Aug 2004

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FACT:
Most recommendations say people should exercise for 20 to 60 minutes continuously. But new research from the University of Missouri-Columbia suggests intermittent exercise is more effective at lowering triglyceride, or artery-blocking fat in the bloodstream, than continuous exercise when exercising just 30 minutes. August issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
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