Question:
One month out and I had low potissium levels.

I experience a fast uneven heart beat thrusday and was througaly check at at the hospital. I am 1 month post op. They found nothing wrong except my potissium was very low. Has anyone experienced having trouble with their heart due to dyraration and low potissium level?    — LadyAlways (posted on July 8, 2007)

July 8, 2007
Both conditions can cause your heart rate to be irregular or fast. I have had a fairly fast heart rate for several years now. But it was blamed on my lung disease. Now they have discovered my Potassium levels are low and put me on supplements and low and behold my heart rate is back down to normal. From average of 98 to an average of 72. Good Luck
   —  CarolynK

July 8, 2007
Speaking as a nurse as well a a lap RNY pt- low potassium will cause fast irregular heart rate- so can dehydration. Try to add food high in natural potassium- bannana, oranges,,tangerines, tomatoes ,apricots(dried), raisins, yogurt to name a few. Hopefully you an get it up with foods instead of needing medications. Be sure to drink your water. Good luck. Donna
   — dabby

July 8, 2007
Potassium is directly linked to the heart and blood pressure! Dehydration will also factor in...our bodies are mostly water and losing water will certainly strain your organs...every one of them.
   — LouAB

July 8, 2007
Low potassium is very dangerous and was probably the main culprit of your issue. You should consult your GB surgeon or your family doctor...and have it checked regularly until it levels out. Adding some high potassium items (bananas, orange juice, broccoli) to your diet will help, but it may take some medication to get it up first. Definitely consult a physician!
   — BrendaMS

July 9, 2007
A low potassium level is dangerous. It was determined that I had a low potassium reading just a few weeks prior to my RNY surgery about a year ago. My primary care physician told me that if it was discovered by any competent surgeon on the day of surgery that (s)he would probably not allow me on the table. After surgery, a low potassium level is just as bad and I do not understand why your doctor/surgeon did not prescribe Potassium Cl tablets for you as soon as (s)he read your blood lab report. It's a pretty simple solution for a potentially serious problem. If your doctor had "dropped the ball", iot is YOUR responsibility as a patient to bring that dropped ball to his/her attention and insist that the error be corrected immediately. If your doctor balks at this, get a new doctor.
   — [Deactivated Member]