What adverse effect can result from hypercalcemia?

Hypercalcemia, or elevated calcium levels in the blood, can lead to several harmful effects on the body, one of which is the formation of kidney stones. High calcium levels can promote the precipitation of calcium in urine, leading to the crystallization of calcium salts, which can form stones in the kidneys. This occurs due to the increased solubility of calcium in the renal system and the decreased reabsorption of calcium, causing an overload that the kidneys must filter.

On the other hand, while muscle spasms, hypotension, and bradycardia are associated with various electrolyte imbalances, they are more commonly related to low levels of certain electrolytes or other conditions than directly due to hypercalcemia. For instance, muscle spasms are often linked to low calcium (hypocalcemia) or low magnesium levels, not high levels. Hypotension and bradycardia can arise from a variety of issues, but hypercalcemia tends to cause the opposite effect, potentially leading to hypertension and an increased heart rate instead.

Thus, kidney stones represent a classic and significant issue arising from hypercalcemia, highlighting the direct physiological consequences of elevated calcium levels in the body.