Guide To The Symptoms Of Rhabdomyolysis

Irregular Heartbeat

An individual who experiences an irregular heartbeat with other muscle-related symptoms may be affected by rhabdomyolysis. The heartbeat is regulated through the movement of potassium, an electrolyte, in and out of the cells that make up the heart. A healthy individual can keep the amount of potassium in their blood at a manageable level because excess potassium is cleared from their body by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. A rhabdomyolysis patient has compromised kidney function due to the stress the excessive muscle breakdown has placed on the organs. Impaired kidneys can cause the potassium in an affected individual's blood to become too high because they are unable to clear the electrolyte from the body as quickly as it is being taken in. A high level of potassium causes the electrical signals in the myocardium to become disrupted, producing an arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.

Read more about the warning signs of rhabdomyolysis now.

Dizziness And Lightheadedness

As discussed, a rhabdomyolysis patient experiences a decline in the functionality of their kidneys, and they may also experience heartbeat problems or dehydration due to the imbalance of electrolytes in their blood. When the heart has an irregular heartbeat from imbalanced electrolytes, it can cause less blood to be pumped up to the brain tissues. An individual can experience dehydration as a result of poorly functioning kidneys, which can also produce a situation in the body where not enough blood is being pumped to the brain tissues effectively. When an individual's brain tissues do not receive an adequate amount of blood, they also do not receive an adequate amount of oxygen. The cells in an affected individual's brain begin to shut down in conditions of low oxygen, causing them to feel dizzy or lightheaded as a result.