What is a significant EKG finding associated with hyperkalemia?

A significant EKG finding associated with hyperkalemia is the widened QRS complex. This occurs because elevated potassium levels affect cardiac repolarization and conduction velocities. As potassium increases in the bloodstream, its effects on myocardial cells lead to slower conduction through the ventricles, observable as a widening of the QRS complex. This finding can indicate that the heart's electrical system is being significantly impacted, potentially leading to serious arrhythmias and increased risk of cardiac arrest.

While bradycardia can occur in the context of hyperkalemia, it is not a specific EKG finding, rather a potential heart rate change that can happen due to various factors. ST segment elevation is more commonly associated with other conditions, such as myocardial ischemia or infarction, rather than hyperkalemia. U-waves are often related to hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia, making a widened QRS complex a distinctive and concerning finding when assessing a patient for elevated potassium levels.