Difficulty Breathing
A serious potassium deficit might lead to respiratory problems. The diaphragm, in particular, is a muscle used during breathing to assist the lungs in taking in and releasing air. Moreover, the lungs might not correctly expand and contract when blood potassium levels are critically low, which can cause shortness of breath.
Since the lungs won’t be able to get sufficient oxygen due to the heart’s inefficient pumping of blood, a person with potassium deficiency will feel tightness in the chest or show difficulty breathing. In worse cases, the person will feel like they are suffocating. When this happens, seek immediate medical attention.
Serious potassium deficiency might very well make it hard for the lungs to function, which is dangerous. According to one study, patients with low or high blood potassium levels—known medically as hypokalemia and hyperkalemia, respectively—are substantially more likely to experience in-hospital respiratory failure and require a ventilator.
When you suddenly experience difficulty breathing, do the following while calling medical attention: sit forward or stand with a supported back, breathe with pursed lips, or use a fan to relieve shortness of breath.
