AFIB/low potassium

[finetilthree]

When I was in the hospital last week with Afib, they tested my blood and I had low potassium.  Does anyone know if this could have caused my afib or it it likely something more serious? I have since made an effort to eat healthier in an effort to raise my potassium.  I have been eating bananas and other fruits, drinking OJ, and eating  baked potatoes.  How long does it take to raise your potassium level once you begin to make dietary changes?  

[marie50]

Hi -  I had my first episode of Afib about the same time you did in January. I was told in the ER that my potassium level was 3.0. Normal range is about 3.5 -5.5. Three months earlier I was in the same ER for an episode of PSVT and I was told then that my potassium level was 3.1. During those 3 months I was eating potassium rich foods but not enough I guess. After the Afib epsiode I started keeping tract of the exact amount consumed each day and tried to keep it as close to 3000 mgs a day as possible. 2 months later my level was 3.8 and then 2 months after that it was 4.1. In my case keeping daily consumption at 3000 mgs a day - every single day- seems to be necessary. I tried potassium supplements but they were very hard on my stomach and I had to stop taking them. My cardiologist said low potassium can contribute to developing Afib in someone already predisposed to having it. I doubt it would be the sole cause in an otherwise perfectly normal heart unless the potassium was very low. Many people in Afib support groups feel magnesium as important as potassium in keeping arrthymias away and can help in raising potassium levels.