Posted by Lonely on February 22, 2006, at 0:04:46
In reply to Low potassium, posted by overtheedge on January 23, 2006, at 18:52:18
My husband was hospitalized (4 years ago) w/what was thought to be a stroke and had extremely low potassium. They started an IV in the ER and he showed fairly significant improvement. Because they thought he was having a stroke and/or heart attack (no clot found) they did heart catherization, MRIs, CT Scans, etc. and found some damage to the left side of his heart which I suspect was caused in part by low potassium. It seems to be genetic in his family - sister and father had it. It's potentially serious although many doctors snub the idea. I think it's part of what triggered the attack that landed him in the hospital. The "stroke" turned out to be MS but I think the potassium worked into the picture somehow.
The woman in Florida (on the news)who was on life support that was withdrawn a year or two ago had basically succombed to a heart attack that destroyed her brain due to low potassium. Her family sued the doctor.
Apricots are excellent sources of potassium. But, they have the side effect of gas and in some people, loose stools. Check the labels on fruit juices and other beverages - there's a big difference in potassium volume in different products.
poster:Lonely
thread:602188
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20060202/msgs/611960.html