Final answer:
Excess potassium, or hyperkalemia, leads to a decreased heart rate and decreased force of contractions in the heart, potentially causing arrhythmias and cardiac failure. correct answer is d ) both A and B .
Step-by-step explanation:
An excess of potassium affects the heart by decreasing the force of contractions and can also lead to a decreased heart rate. In essence, hyperkalemia, which is the medical term for elevated potassium levels, can cause the heart muscle to become weak and flaccid, eventually leading to cardiac failure if not corrected. Potassium balance is crucial for the proper electrical functioning of the heart. When there is an excess, it disrupts the normal depolarization and repolarization cycle of the cardiac cells, which can result in arrhythmias and a weakened heart.
Excessive dietary intake of potassium can lead to hyperkalemia. In the heart, this increased potassium concentration interferes with electrical signals, leading to partial depolarization of cardiac cells. This partial depolarization means the cells cannot relax properly after a contraction. Over time, this can cause the heart to seize and stop pumping blood, which is immediately life-threatening. Hyperkalemia can also cause mental confusion and weakness in respiratory muscles due to its effects on the nervous system.