Irregular heart rhythms symptoms and conditions

I had been on Yasmin for a couple years then became pregnant. After the baby, my obgyn suggested taking Yaz b/c he said there were less side-effects. So, I began taking it and with in a few weeks time I had began fainting at work, good thing I am an R.N. in the E.R. and was having irregular heart rhythms. I was told I had very low Potassium and began taking K + supplements. Although, no one made the connection to the birth control. I kept telling different doctors that the only new change was that I had begun taking Yaz. They just kept saying I was stressed and my body was still adjusting from a very difficult pregnancy, which was true. So after resuming with Yaz I again started to feel lethargic, muscle spasms, headache and palpitations, I finally have an appointment with my ob and can't wait to switch pills!!!! Yaz is not what is cracked up to be........

Okay, so I think I may have stumbled on something more.....for all of you out there who have expeirenced the irregular heart rhythms....here's more on what I found in research about potassium. I learned that this was one of the greatest risks of Yasmin...but had no idea I was at 5.7 in blood tests just confirmed this morning after 3 months of being off of Yasmin and just last Dec. 2005-it was 4.7? So now, I am starting to wonder if my Adrenal Glands may not be doing their job as noted below to the release of adolsterone?

Why is the Test Performed?

Potassium (K+) is the major positive ion within cells and is particularly important for maintaining the electric charge on the cell membrane. This charge allows nerves and muscles to communicate and is necessary for transporting nutrients into cells and waste products out of the cell. The concentration of potassium inside cells is about 30 times that in the blood and other fluids outside of cells.

Potassium levels are mainly controlled by the steroid hormone aldosterone. (For more information see the aldosterone test.) Aldosterone is secreted from the adrenal gland when levels of potassium increase. Aldosterone, in turn, causes the body to rid itself of the excess potassium.

Metabolic acidosis (for example, caused by uncontrolled diabetes) or alkalosis (for example, caused by excess vomiting) can affect blood potassium.

Small changes in the potassium concentration outside cells can have substantial effects on the activity of nerves and muscles. This is particularly true of heart muscle. Low levels of potassium cause increased activity (which can lead to an irregular heartbeat), whereas high levels cause decreased activity. Either situation can lead to cardiac arrest in some circumstances.

In normal people, taking potassium supplements or potassium-containing drugs is of no consequences, because the kidneys efficiently dispose of excess potassium.