An elderly man in China was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) after eating up to four bananas every day for half a month in an attempt to “boost potassium”, only to suffer life-threatening hyperkalemia instead.
According to reports from Ningbo in Zhejiang province, the 70-year-old man, surnamed Zhang, had been living with high blood pressure for years.
After experiencing constant fatigue and weakness in his legs, he reportedly heard that low potassium levels could cause tiredness and decided to increase his potassium intake by eating bananas daily.
Believing bananas would help improve his condition, Zhang consumed three to four bananas every day for about two weeks.
However, instead of getting better, his condition reportedly worsened.
Concerned family members later sent him to Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital after noticing he appeared extremely weak and lethargic.
Medical tests revealed Zhang’s blood potassium level had reached 7.94mmol/L — far above the normal range of 3.5 to 5.5mmol/L — placing him in a critical condition.
Doctors also discovered abnormalities in his electrocardiogram (ECG), confirming severe hyperkalemia, a dangerous condition that can trigger irregular heartbeat, ventricular fibrillation and even sudden cardiac arrest.
Medical staff immediately transferred him to the ICU, where doctors stabilised his heart rhythm with medication while carrying out emergency dialysis treatment to rapidly remove excess potassium from his body.
Fortunately, Zhang’s condition improved after intensive treatment and his potassium levels eventually returned to normal.
Emergency department deputy director Zhou Ting explained that healthy individuals can usually eliminate excess potassium naturally through their kidneys, making moderate banana consumption generally safe.
However, he warned that elderly people, patients taking long-term blood pressure medication and individuals with chronic kidney disease often have weaker potassium elimination functions.
As a result, consuming excessive amounts of high-potassium foods such as bananas, oranges, durians, spinach and potatoes over long periods may cause dangerous potassium buildup in the body.
Zhou explained that potassium is an essential electrolyte responsible for maintaining nerve, muscle and heart functions.
However, excessive potassium levels can directly interfere with heart rhythm and may become fatal if left untreated.
He stressed that symptoms such as fatigue and weakness can stem from many medical conditions involving the heart, brain, kidneys or endocrine system and should not be self-diagnosed casually.
Doctors urged the public not to blindly rely on food remedies or internet advice when experiencing health problems.
Medical experts advised people to seek proper medical examinations instead of attempting self-treatment, especially when it involves electrolyte imbalances or chronic illnesses.
