Low potassium, high resting heart rate

(Tamela Robinette) #1

My heart rate has steadily been rising daily since starting strictly keto 4 weeks ago. I used to have a resting HR of around 39 bpm and today it is 72! I have been taking electrolyte supplements and 1/4 teaspoon of pink salt in my water throughout the day and still it is rising by several points everyday. I started using cronometer and was looking at my mineral intake and my potassium was extremely low! Should I add a potassium supplement to my regimen? I read high fat diets can block potassium absorption. Also, I have had loose bowels for several days now with severe cramping, which I read could also be a symptom of low potassium, a long with the tachycardia. I hope posting here was the correct place for asking this question. TIA.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #2

Can you be more specific about what electrolyte supplements along with the pink salt. Can you tell us how many mg of sodium you’re taking a day?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #3

The first thing is to get your salt intake up, since the kidneys excrete at a faster rate in the absence of carbohydrate. Furthermore, we need more sodium than most governments recommend. Four to six grams a day seems to be the healthiest range, which translates to 10-15 grams of table salt (NaCl).

When salt intake is at the proper level, it helps with maintaining potassium, magnesium, and calcium at their correct levels as well (apparently the bodily processes that regulate these minerals are interrelated).

Neither hypo- nor hyper-kalemia is anything to mess with. You might need to see your doctor on this. The good news is that supplementing might be necessary only until you get the kinks in your keto diet worked out, since the whole foods typical of a well-formulated ketogenic diet generally have potassium and magnesium in highly available forms, while the supplements can be problematic. Magnesium is found at the core of every molecule of chlorphyll. Spinach and avocadoes are two keto-friendly foods that are rich in potassium.

(Tamela Robinette) #4

According to cronometer my total sodium intake yesterday was 4792 mgs. The electrolytes I’m taking, which I ordered off of Amazon, 53 mg of sodium chloride, 25 mg of magnesium carbonate, and 75 mg of potassium gluconate. I’m a runner and I sweat heavily, so I take one capsule prior to a workout and one after. I try to get as many vegetables as possible without going over my carb limit of 20 per day.

(Edith) #5

I had a similar problem just recently. To make sure I get enough sodium, I drink 1/2 teaspoon of salt with my water 3 times a day. I have a 32 ounce water bottle and I add the salt to that and sip throughout the morning or afternoon. Sometimes I just gulp down the salt in a half cup of water. Either way, It’s not that bad. When my resting pulse started climbing, I added 1/8 teaspoon of No Salt (Potassium Chloride) to my water as well. At three times a day, it gives me almost a gram of potassium plus what I get from my food.

It has helped. My resting pulse rate is slowly going back down. It did not happen over night. I must have been pretty depleted.

I am a petite, 52 year old woman. I just think it is impossible for me to get all the potassium I need through food, with or without keto. I eat meat and veggies every meal and it still isn’t enough.

I wonder if that’s one of the reasons people end up needing blood pressure meds as they get older? A lot of people get palpitations as they hit middle age and then go on beta blockers to help. Maybe it’s just chronic, slightly low-ish potassium levels.

(Tamela Robinette) #6

I agree, it’s almost impossible to get enough potassium through diet! A lot of foods high in potassium are high in carbs. I am trying to incorporate more spinach and avocados into my diet. I practice IF, eat OMAD, and it seems to limit my ability to hit all my macros, so I may need to adjust things there. Gonna purchase some no salt today! Thank you!