Heartbeat irregularity, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the legs, confusion, hypokalemia. Regulates blood pressure, normal muscle contraction, promotes regular heartbeat, maintains water balance in tissues and cells, causes normal function in body cells. Potatoes, fresh fruit, fish, citrus and tomato juices, milk, nuts, raisins, canned sardines, whole grain cereals. Consult your doctor if you have diabetes or kidney disease or take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, ACE inhibitors and heart medications.
Calcium increases possibility of irregular heartbeat.
Irregular or fast heartbeat, paralysis of limbs, drop in blood pressure, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrest, black or bloody stool, diarrhea, confusion, breathing difficulty, vomiting. Dietary sources of potassium are better absorbed than supplements. Supplements may be necessary for those who take diuretic medications or digitalis, which cause the body to secrete potassium. Processing reduces the amount of potassium in foods. Try to eat the skins of fruits and vegetables when possible.