Low Potassium Symptoms (Hypokalemia); What are Potassium Deficiency Symptoms?

14) Palpitations

There are plenty of cardiovascular symptoms of hypokalemia, and palpitations are one of them. They are triggered by arrhythmias or alterations in the heart’s normal rhythm. Hypokalemia-induced arrhythmias are caused by an alteration in the activity of an important enzyme in the heart muscle.

This enzyme is known as sodium-potassium ATPase or NKA. It controls how much potassium there is inside and out of the cell. Since there is not enough potassium, this enzyme reduces its activity, and the polarization of the muscle cell is affected.

Along with NKA, there is an overload of calcium in the cell, which stimulates cardiac muscle contraction and nerve potentials. Altogether, all of these changes lead to irregular heartbeats and the sensation of palpitations in the chest.