
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hypokalemia risk factors
Introduction
Overview
Risk factors associated with a low serum potassium levels (hypokalemia) include female gender, intake of medication (diuretics), heart failure, hypertension, low body mass index (BMI), eating disorder, alcoholism, diarrhea, Cushing’s syndrome.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
The following risk factors are known to be associated with an increased risk of hypokalemia:
- Female [1] [2]
- Medications like diuretics
- Heart failure
- Hypertension
- Low BMI [3]
- Eating disorder and alcoholism: low intake of potassium
- Diarrhea, cushing syndrome, and any condition that cause increase potassium loss [4]
References
References
- ↑ Hawkins RC (May 2003). “Gender and age as risk factors for hypokalemia and hyperkalemia in a multiethnic Asian population”. Clin. Chim. Acta. 331 (1–2): 171–2. PMID 12691880.
- ↑ Kleinfeld M, Borra S, Gavani S, Corcoran A (November 1993). “Hypokalemia: are elderly females more vulnerable?”. J Natl Med Assoc. 85 (11): 861–4. PMC 2571829. PMID 8107162.
- ↑ Liamis G, Rodenburg EM, Hofman A, Zietse R, Stricker BH, Hoorn EJ (March 2013). “Electrolyte disorders in community subjects: prevalence and risk factors”. Am. J. Med. 126 (3): 256–63. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2012.06.037. PMID 23332973.
- ↑ Daly K, Farrington E (2013). “Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia in infants and children: pathophysiology and treatment”. J Pediatr Health Care. 27 (6): 486–96, quiz 497–8. doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2013.08.003. PMID 24139581.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aida Javanbakht, M.D.
