heart palpitations

[oceangirl]

Has anyone had heart palpitations (on and off) since starting lo-carb? I don't mean during exercise but when you're relaxed. I take 400 mg of Potassium a day (along with all my other vit's). I drink at least 3 liters of water a day too.

Thanks :)

[Lisa N]

Oceangirl...

Actually, I used to have a lot of palpitations BEFORE I started low carbing, but have only rarely had them since. Too much potassium could give you the symptoms you describe. I can't locate my DANDR right now to check the recommended dosage, but you may want to review it yourself.

[oceangirl]

:wave: thanks for the info-

[CrazyCurly]

I just read your post and had a duh moment. My heart palpitations have stopped since I started LC'ing! I haven't even thought about it. I was having so many for about 3 weeks before I started this WOL, I kept telling my husband I thought I had to go to the hospital. I was going to tell my doctor, but I forgot because they went away. I cannot believe I forgot that! How weird. Anyways, i would check your Potassium. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Hope they go away.

Jess

[agonycat]

ME TOO!

I hadn't noticed but I use to get them a lot. Now that you bring this up I haven't had one in....ummm I can't remember!

[Natrushka]

Just, FYI, potassium DEFICIENCY can cause anxiety attack like symptoms, including heart paplitations.

The Eades recommend 400mg of potassium during fat loss - and then once you reach maintenance you take it on particularly hot days and on days when you workout strenuously.

Nat

[doreen T]

A person with healthy kidneys is unlikely to have too high potassium levels - there's a built-in control which allows the kidneys to excrete excess potassium if there's too much.

Unfortunately there's not such a control to prevent levels from dropping too low :( That being said, you're likely to experience other symptoms first, such as overall muscle weakness and fatigue before heart arrhythmias occur. If you're losing a lot of potassium over a short period of time, such as with vomiting and diarrhea, then it's more serious, and a trip to Emerg is in order.

Certain medications can cause the kidneys to retain potassium, so levels might build up .. ACE-inhibitors for heart/blood pressure such as enalapril and captopril, potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone, and sulfa antibiotics esp. Bactrim (Septra). Check with your pharmacist before taking supplemental potassium.

Actually, disturbances in heart rhythm are more likely related to low MAGNESIUM levels. Magnesium is also lost in the urine along with potassium, and levels may drop with ketosis when there's increased water losses. Diabetes, high blood sugars, high insulin levels can also deplete circulating levels of magnesium.

Adults require 450 to 500mg per day of magnesium; you can usually find it combined with calcium in a ratio of 333mg Cal : 167mg Mag. Take 3 a day, with the last dose at bedtime.

Doreen

[tink]

HI,
I had slight palpitations before i started LCing but they seem to have gone now...i put this down to finally coming off caffeine ! I was a complete caffiene freak...excessive amounts a day !!!

I reckon that giving it has to be a good thing !

:roll: :roll: :roll:

[CrazyCurly]

Thanks Doreen, that is allot of helpful information. You sure know your stuff!

Jess