Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) - Medtick

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

What is it?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a circulatory condition that involves the autonomic nervous systems.

It is also defined as:

  • An increase in heart rate of ≥ 30 beats/min when moving from a recumbent to a standing position (or ≥ 40 beats/min in individuals aged 12-19 years).
  • The absence of orthostatic (standing) hypotension (low blood pressure) (> 20 mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure) is required.
  • The standing (orthostatic) heart rate of individuals with POTS is often ≥ 120 beats/min.

Medscape

  • One would experience a dramatic increase in heart rate when going from lying to standing and it is relieved by lying or sitting down again as a result can have a significant impact on the quality of life.
  • There are many types:
    • Neuropathic  (common) – (nerve disorder)
    • Hyperadrenergic (high levels of stress hormone norepinephrine)
    • Hypovolemic (Low levels of blood causing symptoms)
    • Autoimmune (where ones immune system is attacking our nervous system)
    • Deconditioning (heart damage and low blood volume)

Increased salt intake and water intake as well as dietary changes (eat smaller meals and fewer carbohydrates and reduce caffeine) is considered only under the direction of a specialist dietitian.

Cause

Symptoms

(Occurs mainly when moving from a sitting or lying position to a standing  position and tend to occur more in the morning than evening)

  • Lightheaded?
  • Blurred vision?
  • Heart palpitations and/or irregular heartbeats?
  • Tremor?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Breathing difficulties and/or shortness of breath?
  • Exercise intolerance (exercise to a low limit)?

Other symptoms:

  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Difficult to concentrate and/or difficulty in concentrating and/or memory problems (brain fog)?
  • Sleep disturbance (insomnia)?
  • Face pain on affected side of face and/or wiggling and/or twisting and/or tingling sensation to lips, tongue, fingers and feet?
  • Numbness or tingling in the face and/or mouth and/or lips and/or tongue?
  • Nausea?
  • Bloating (wind)?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Diarrhoea?
  • Joint hypermobility and/or flexible joints?
  • Pale looking skin (including nails beds and gums)?
  • Hot and sweaty skin?
  • Swollen wrists (watches or wearing bangles feel tight) and/or swollen ankles?
  • Any unknown lumps or swellings on any part of body?
  • Clothes feel tight when wearing?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can be related to:


This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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  • Medscape

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal

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  • Healthline

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  • Medical News Today

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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  • Fit for Travel

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  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies

Diet, Exercise and Body Manipulations

Avoid standing exercises consider:

  • Non-upright exercises (eg, rowing machines, recumbent cycles, swimming).